Dromore are comfortable winners in crunch match with Ballynahinch 2’s

Ali Kinghan, Sammy Russell, Michael Harshaw and a John Russell brace gave the locals a 36-14 victory over Hinch Seconds.

Dromore were the first to open the score through winger Ali Kinghan.

Fullback, Aaron Stewart launched a Garryowen into the air and after the Hinch failed to gather, Kinghan hacked forwards before gathering and grounding.

The conversion attempt was unsuccessful and gave the away side a 5-0 lead.

The Dromore back division were creating opportunities at will through Adam McDonald and line breaks from outside centre John Cullen, tested the home defence.

A well-executed tactical kick from Hinch pinned Dromore back on their own line.

After a lineout misfired, the home side gained control of the ball and the scrum half took advantage of some suspect pillar and guard defence from Dromore.

The conversion was successful and put the home side ahead by two points.

Hinch began to put pressure on the Dromore defence, but the away side offered a ferocious defensive display with Andy Black and John Cullen making notable tackles.

Dromore tried to keep the tempo at a high pace through quick penalties from Russell and a succession of quick lineouts.

In the opposition 22 metre line, Cullen broke the gain line and after ball was quickly recycled, Sammy Russell crossed in the corner and gave Dromore a 10-7 lead.

The referee blew the whistle to signal the end of the half shortly after sending Ryan Hughes to the sin bin. 10-7 to the visitors.

Hinch took advantage of being a man up in the second period, when the outhalf ghosted through soft Dromore defence, virtually unscathed, to give the hosts a four point lead.

Dromore responded when Black charged down a Hinch box kick.

After gathering and winning a penalty, the forwards rumbled a maul over the line to extend the lead. John Russell added the extras to take their lead to 3 points.

Russell got in among the tries with a swift break down the right wing. A scrum in a good attacking position, left Russell and the winger against one defender.

Russell dummied and crossed the line before adding the conversion to make the score 27-14 to Dromore.

Adam McDonald scored the fifth try after Cullen capitalised on handling errors from the hosts.

The outside centre passed to McDonald who touched down underneath the posts. Russell’s conversion took the score out to 31-14.

Dromore did have defending to do towards the end. A resolute defence and good work on the ground from the forwards resulted in the ball being turned over.

Kinghan had chances to double his tally, but it was John Russell who crossed the line to add a bit of gloss to the victory. 36-14 was the final score to the visitors.