Ballynahinch v Wanderers Match Report.
04/12/2007
BLOWN OFF THE PADDOCK
In a match that was so important for both teams a fired up Ballynahinch blew a weak Wanderers of the paddock with a clinical powerful performance in extreme weather conditions 25-10.
The first away game after two home victories and a match up versus our promotion partners from last season, it was going to be some contest. Coupled with a cyclonic weather pattern hammering the whole of the country only a step up in our performance would be enough to get a positive result.
Having been told about the Hinch home grounds and how open it is to the elements, it still took until we arrived and had a walk over the pitch to realize what a difficult task we had against the conditions alone.
A decision by us to play with the gale force wind and the downward lay of the surface meant we had to start well and points had to registered with the threat of more extreme conditions on its way.
But that wasn’t to be the case and we struggled to match a Hinch side that looked determined to put to bed last year’s loss and blow us off the paddock this time. They were playing all the Rugby and starving us of the ball in that time that we had to take advantage of the conditions.
Kicking of any sort was so difficult. A couple of penalty attempts from us went astray and an attempt from the Ballynahinch kicker nearly ended up behind him. Their patience and ability to hold onto the ball was rewarded when from an attacking scrum that turned very favourably gave them the 1st 5 pointer after 20minutes.
It took until the 30th minute for us to match it with a turnover won on our 10 metre line used positively and with winger Paddy Brophy showing some great strength and agility he tip toed down the touch line and sped off to score under the posts. The conversion took the score to 7-5 and finally the urgency to make things happen that wasn’t present for long periods in the first 30 was there.
We pressured their line but only came away with a 3 pointer to Daithi Fitzgerald and went into the half 10- 5 up.
Seeing that the locals were taking shelter from the sub zero temperatures Wanderers followed and gained a little warmth before we faced up to the cold realities of what we hadn’t achieved in the 1st half.
Knowing we hadn’t taken advantage of the variables that were on our side we were going to have to lift our collective effort and toughness. Concentration on ball retention was key for us to have a chance attain victory against this Hinch storm.
Three minutes in and a successful 50metre penalty by Hinch meant there were just 2 points in it that reversed to a 1 point lead with a drop goal 3 minutes later. Hinch were playing the conditions like seasoned masters making it all so difficult to work our way out of their half. To our credit we worked very hard and managed to get into the attacking zone hammering away for a sustained period only to come away empty handed.
That was our last throw of the dice as soon after, a penalty try was awarded from a scrum infringement. With the energy sapping half taking its toll Hinch picked up a 3rd try with some ordinary defence and a conversion blowing the score out to 25-10. Ballynahinch weren’t finished and attempted to inflict more punishment and were denied a try right on full-time.
Congratulations to Ballynahinch who out played us with a lesson in their own backyard with a total team performance.
A big blow after gaining some continuity leading into this game with victories based on huge heart and passion coupled with intelligent option taking.
We have to stay positive and be honest with ourselves if we are to overcome our next obstacle against an unbeaten UCC down in Cork this weekend.
That honesty meaning that all the talking in the world will not achieve anything on the rugby pitch, and that’s it the walking that’s the most important ingredient to attain the success that we and everyone at Wanderers craves.
Special thanks to the Ballynahinch Club who also gave us amazingly warm hospitality in a deservedly happy Clubroom.
Andrew Spraggon
