James Kirk Reports

John Dickson Photo Credit

Ballynahinch achieved a rare double over Division 1A titans Cork Constitution with a nail-biting bonus point victory at Ballymacarn Park on a perfect afternoon for enterprising rugby. Adam Craig made a late change with Bradley Luney starting on the bench and Kyle Gill moving into the second row while Reuben Crothers returned to the back row alongside Jon Rodgers and Josh Hanlon and young centres Quinn Armstrong and Matthew Booth continued in midfield.

Ballynahinch made all the early running with long spells of possession but failed to capitalise and eventually a couple of soft penalties allowed Con to kick their way up the park and attempt to maul their way over the line. Stout defence from the home side stopped the maul but a quick transfer to the blind side winger was enough to send the visitors into the lead.

Con went further ahead after 30 minutes when they took advantage of more indiscipline by capitalising on a Ballynahinch yellow card and scoring from their second attack by working the ball quickly to the wide channels on a set play from a lineout. Ballynahinch continued to dominate possession and territory with little reward until Conor Rankin intervened with two tries in three minutes as half time approached. The full back dummied his way over after the ball was moved wide from a lineout and then glided in for a second after an initial burst up the left from Booth was recycled by the forwards and spun wide by Armstrong. Rankin converted both tries to see the sides level at the interval.

Cork Con regained the lead early in the second half when their scrum half burst though an undefended ruck and stepped his way over – a familiar defensive issue for the home side. Aaron Sexton hit back with an excellent finish in the corner following fine work Rankin and Booth and when Rankin nailed the touchline conversion the scores were level heading into the final quarter. Ballynahinch then put in a sensational defensive set on their own line to keep the visitors out and battled upfield via a couple of scrum penalties. When they won another penalty deep in the opposition 22 everyone in the ground assumed it would be dispatched into touch apart from Rankin who spotted replacement winger Daniel Bennet in space on the opposite touchline and found him with an excellent crossfield kick. Bennet finished in the corner and Rankin’s conversion into the wind gave the locals a seven-point lead going into the closing stages.

There was plenty of late drama as Ballynahinch struggled to regain possession and were pinned back in their own half. They conceded a try with just five minutes to go but the conversion was missed to keep them two points ahead. A scrum penalty on half way saw Con attempt a penalty goal which was well short but Con piled on the pressure from the ensuing lineout and won another penalty after a high tackle. The local supporters held their breath but the kick drifted wide and Ballynahinch celebrated a bonus point victory. They retain a mathematical chance of a top four finish but will have to finish the season with another three bonus point wins and hope other results go their way.

Ballynahinch chasing silverware again.

Saturday proved to be a very productive day with three trophies still to play for as the thirds, fourths and fifths won their respective semi-finals.

Jonny Shannon lead his resurgent thirds into the Crawford Plate Final as they defeated Harlequins 2 46-31, scoring eight tries in an excellent away performance. They play Omagh 2 away in the final on April 25th. The thirds have also surged up the league with five wins in their last six games and will hope to maintain their form all the way to the final.

The fourths booked a trip to Ravenhill for the third successive season as they continue to be the team to beat in the Forster Cup. Mike Evans and his crew were comfortable 33-17 winners over Omagh 4ths in a feisty encounter at Ballymacarn Park and play Academy 2 in the final on 25th April.

James McBriar and the mighty 5th XV booked their place in another McCambley Cup Final with a narrow victory at Malone and the holders will get the chance to avenge their defeat to Ballymena in the showpiece final two years ago when they meet again on April 25th at Ravenhill.