Ballynahinch produced a superb performance in appalling conditions to draw with high-flying St.Mary’s and add two points to their league total. They matched their opponents in all facets of the game and handled the weather as well as could be expected. However, Adam Craig and his charges will have familiar regrets as they once again failed to get over the line in a close encounter with a top side. This was made worse by the fact that the other results went against them and despite a good result the league table shows that there is much work to be done over the coming weeks.

The match itself was played at Terenure on the 4G surface as the pitches at Templeville Road were waterlogged and developed into a war of attrition with conditions dictating that very little constructive rugby was played. Knock-ons and errors were prominent and the teams exchanged penalties until Ballynahinch broke the deadlock after half an hour with a superb sequence of carries from the likes of Marcus Rea, Tom McAllister and Ben Moxham creating space for Conor Rankin to glide through and chip ahead. The exaggerated bounce from the artificial surface denied him a try but the ever-alert Bradley Luney was following up and gratefully accepted the gift, giving his side a well-deserved lead.

St.Mary’s closed the gap to a point with another well-struck penalty and on the stroke of half time Ballynahinch squandered an opportunity to score again when they lost a lineout on their own throw deep in the opposition 22. They turned around just one point ahead but with the worsening conditions in their favour.

During the third quarter of the match Ballynahinch looked to be in complete control. They were content to slow the game down, pin the opposition back and kick their points. Conor Rankin delivered two excellent penalties as the locals moved seven points clear at the hour mark. They looked comfortable in defence and their opponents seemed to be running out of ideas. However, they failed to guard the back of a ruck , allowing St.Mary’s to pour through and make the territorial advantage count with a close range score after a series of rucks, tying the game up. The final ten minutes was played around the halfway line and included a series of Ballynahinch scrums as the away side tried to force a penalty and give themselves a chance to win the match but time ran out and two points was their only reward for an excellent performance.

Ballynahinch are at home for the next two Saturdays versus Lansdowne and Nenagh Ormond. All support welcome as they seek to climb the table.

Club Notes

The 2nd XV home fixture versus Dungannon survived the weather and they continued their unbeaten league season with an impressive seven try victory, their 11th in succession. This weekend’s trip to Ballymena will offer a sterner test for Davy Harris and his table-topping side.

The fourths recorded a walkover as Lurgan conceded the fixture but the fifths surprisingly lost at Lisburn while the thirds game at Dromore fell foul of the weather.

The only youth match to survive the weather saw the U16s comfortably defeat Randalstown in the Cup.