Seconds beaten by experienced 'Hinch Share
BANBRIDGE 2NDs 10 Ballynahinch 2nds 19January 28, 2011
On Friday night Bann Seconds entertained a Ballynahinch second string with an abundance of AIL Division One experience, and although another narrow result went against them, they are now putting in improved performances after the enforced break at Christmas. This mistake proved costly as ‘Hinch moved the score further ahead with a second try, this time gained when a period of pressure inside the home "22" caught Bann out with some good inter-play between players to create the gap. With the tally now at 12-3, Bann knew a score for them was vital, and five minutes before the interval they scored a deserved try through centre Will Taylor. Bann had worked themselves upfield where they gained an attacking scrum 15 metres out. The scrum, which had previously been under pressure, remained solid and after some good rucking, scrum-half Michael Chambers got clean ball to move swiftly along the backs for Taylor to score. McCallister added the extras to leave the half time score 12-10. With 28 minutes still to play, Bann never wavered from their game plan, and indeed some facets of play, like the scrum, improved slightly. For the next 15 minutes Bann remained in the visitors "22" without reward. The backs were also being increasingly brought into the game after initial graft by the pack. On a couple of occasions full back Mark Doherty created openings, one of which was taken on by the impressive running of Jordan Weir, who was unlucky not to have the support he needed. This unrewarded pattern continued for much of the remainder of the game, with Bann able to get straight back into the "22" even when ‘Hinch had relieved their line. Clever positional kicks by Chambers, Kirkwood and Doherty ensured play was in the ‘Hinch half. Even after the yellow carding of a ‘Hinch player five minutes from time for persistent infringement Bann were unable to get the score their territorial edge warranted. Overall this was an efficient win for Ballynahinch whose experience eventually got them through, but Bann can take comfort from the fact that on another day those periods of pressure would have told.
The home side started brightly and after fielding the kick-off, made good ground into the ‘Hinch half with controlled drives. A penalty allowed out-half Andrew Kirkwood to send play deep into the visitors "22", and the subsequent play was again illegally halted by ‘Hinch, giving Bann a three point lead through Clarke McCallister on two minutes.
Eight minutes later Bann let in a soft try when they failed to close down an initially clever kick into the visitors "22". The chasers failed to pin the full back and he strode forward where he found support to flash the ball along the back-line for the overlap to tell.
Bann went back on the offensive and again forced a penalty which McCallister failed to convert to reduce the arrears, but it showed that the home backs and forwards were keen to impress. This was evident on 25 minutes when Kirkwood again sent a penalty deep into the "22". The take and drive from the resultant lineout was impressive as the Bann pack drove to the line, but just when a try seemed odds on, ‘Hinch crafted a turnover, and as Bann tried to make amends, they were caught offside for ‘Hinch to relieve the pressure.
The second half again saw Bann encamp themselves deep in opposition territory when they chose to send penalties down the line. The resultant period of drives off the line-outs were initially successful but stopped just short, with ‘Hinch able to relieve when over-eagerness conceded a penalty. Bann's frustration was intensified when the visitors were yet again able to score when back into the Bann "22". A period of fierce defending on their line by Bann eventually came unstuck when the ‘Hinch attacker was for once not met by a defender. The conversion moved the score on to 19-10 to the visitors.