2nds Lose at Hinch

Monday, 02 November 2009 10:14

There was little to choose between the two teams during the early exchanges. With the sun and the breeze behind them, Ballynahinch attacked using high balls, while Academy counterattacked particular with the centres. The result was a sole Ballynahinch penalty (3-0,  13 mins). (Ballynahinch prop retired injured until halftime).

Academy were hard done by when the ref mistakenly penalised them for having an extra man in the lineout, but that is no excuse for allowing Ballynahinch to take a quick tap on the halfway time and after a couple of passes along the backline, to score under the posts (10-0,  20 mins).
When wing forward, H.McGuicken won the restart, Academy took their turn to apply pressure which resulted in a penalty (10-3,  24 mins).

Academy secured the Ballynahinch restart, and centre J.Kelly made the all important line break, he was well supported by hooker R.Press, before Kelly appeared again to touch down under the posts (10-10, 26 mins).

Ballynahinch ended the half, first with a penalty (13-10, 38 mins) and then returned the kickoff virtually unopposed (20-10, halftime).

In the second half, Academy needed to score first, but a quick tap penalty in the middle of the pitch was not the answer, particularly when the ball was turned over. At the ruck in Academy’s 22, the Ballynahinch scrumhalf broke wide and fed inside for his winger to beat the defence (27-10,  64 mins). (R.Press was yellow carded for dissent).

For the last 15 mins Academy found their passion once again, with centre J.Kelly scoring his second try in the dying minutes (27-17,  fulltime).

The Observer.