Ballynahinch celebrate cup hat-trick success

Yesterday’s success at Ulster headquarters registered a hat-trick for the Co Down club’s side having won the trophy back in 2008 and 2006. Previously the seconds had enjoyed Crawford Cup glory in 2003 and 1996 and the firsts - who are now pressing to become a top flight AIL Division One club, secured the first win back in 1989.

The class of 2013 - led by captain Andy Glenn - stormed into a 14-0 interval lead. But they had to withstand a brave fightback from holders Coleraine IIs who came within two points after an entertaing final.

Ballynahinch had enjoyed the early pressure at a sunsplashed, but cold, Ravenhill, and John Gunson looked to have scored in the fourth minute, but the try was ruled out for an earlier infringment.

On 10 minutes, Coleraine captain Paul Sheils was yellow carded for foul play at a ruck.

Hinch kicked for a line out and won the ball, again pressuring the Coleraine defence.

A five metre scrum was awarded to Hinch, but they were penalised for collapsing and Coleraine cleared their lines.

On 18 minutes, a captain’s charge by Glenn saw him break several tackles into Coleraine’s ‘22’.

The ball was recycled severals times by Hinch with No 8 Gunson finally making the try line - and this score stood.

Hinch outhalf Robbie Irvine added the extras for a 7-0 lead after 20 minutes,.

The leaders received the kick-off and attacked through the middle keeping Coleraine on the back foot.

The resultant pressure and recycling of the ball through several phases of forwards finally created an overlap and Mark McCormick to come in off his wing and he crossed for a try on 23 minutes.

Irvine again converted and it was 14-0

Coleraine picked themselves up and they turned the screw, keeping Hinch in their own half.

The Co Down men absorbed the Coleraine pressure well, but were guilty on several occasions of not releasing the player in the tackle and were penalised on 35 minutes.

Coleraine opted to kick just outside the Hinch ‘22’, but outhalf Cameron Jinks scuffed the ball wide.

Coleraine continued on the attack again moving ball to the strong running Tommy van Wyk who was consistently threatening the Hinch back line, but they held firm and their 14-point lead at the break.

Coleraine started the second half strongly and were awarded a penalty as Hinch out half Irvine failed to release the ball in a tackle.

Again outhalf Jinks missed what was a kickable effort in front of the posts.

It was now Hinch’s turn to go on the attack and clever running and kicking by the veteran Jonny Cullen saw Coleraine pinned well into their ‘22’.

Good Coleraine counter-rucking saw them win the ball and clear their lines with Hinch knocking the attempted catch on.

Some clever play by Coleraine and deft hands from their notable van Wyk saw a great chance missed as the final Coleraine pass was knocked forward.

On the hour mark, in a move straight off the training park, Coleraine attacked wide, only to be bundled into touch well inside the Hinch ‘22’.

Hinch fought back from the lineout and were soon in the opposition ‘22’, only for Coleraine to steal the ball and attack through their backs and play was back in the other ‘22’.

On 65 mins, Hinch were penalised for an infringement at the ruck and Coleraine, five-metres from Hinch’s line, used a clever forwards’ move which saw evergreen No 8 Andrew Hutchinson score, with Shiels converting to make it 14-7.

With 10 minutes to go a fantastic break by Hinch’s backs saw Mark McCormick break, but he as halted by a high tackle. Opting for the posts, the usually reliable Irvine pushed the resultant kick wide.

On 74 minutes Cullen was yellow carded for infringing in a ruck and Coleraine attacked from the penalty, passing the ball through several sets of hands to see their winger Nigel Hall score in the corner.

Captain Sheils missed the crucial, but difficult, conversion, which would have levelled matters - and Hinch held on to a slender looking two point lead at 14-12 with five minutes to play.

Hinch now played a game of retaining the ball for the remaining time, ensuring that their forwards soaked up the time.

In the final minute, Coleraine infringed at a ruck and Hinch opted for the line out, winning their ball and simply played down the clock to secure the win.

Coleraine II: P Shiels (capt), N Hall, B Cochrane, T van Wyk, S Callaghan, C Jinks, A McKnight, A Hutchinson, S Dickey, G Neely, A Hogg, M Hunter, A Nevin.

Replacements: G Blair, J Boyd, H Tate, A Kettle, A Gourley

Ballynahinch III: J Magowan, M McCormick, J Graham, J Cullen, J Coen, R Irvine, J Murdock, J Gunson, P Orr, M Adams, R Lusk, M McDowell, A Glenn (capt), D Steele, A Samuel

Replacements: I Dornan, M Glenn, F Birt, G Murdock, G Morton

Referee: Peter Martin.