ALL SQUARE FOR THIRDS AT BALLYMACARN
Ballynahinch 4  10  BANBRIDGE 3RDs 10
March 14, 2009

Going into this tie, there was little to separate Bann 3rds and Hinch 4ths in the league, both having had 7 wins. Bann’s superior points difference putting them just ahead of their opponents, and Saturday’s result will have had no influence on that with the two teams cancelling each other out.

Hinch outscored Banbridge two tries to one, but Francois Viljoen’s kicking once again proved decisive in ensuring the points were shared. Bann’s pack also enjoyed a good performance especially in the scrum where they dominated all afternoon.

Ballynahinch opened the scoring when the managed to create some space out wide after a series of drives at the Banbridge defence. The ball was moved along the backline and with Banbridge outnumbered the try was inevitable. The conversion attempt was missed.

Viljoen narrowed the gap when he composed himself for a drop goal and Banbridge took the lead before the interval through Martin Armstrong. Banbridge recycled the ball through a series of phases in the Hinch half and when the ball was spread left, Armstrong found space to race over for the touch down. Viljoen added the conversion giving Bann a 10-5 half time lead.

Hinch drew the tie level in the second half when their Number 8 picked up from the base of a 5 metre scrum and went over unhindered. Again the conversion attempt went wide.

The loss of wing forward Mark Irwin to injury with twenty minutes to go did not help Bann’s challenge and reflected the physical nature of the battle.

Viljoen had a couple of penalty attempts to settle the tie, but was unsuccessful and the two sides had to content themselves with a share of the points.

Blind side wing forward Matthew Livingstone relished the physical battle making a number of big tackles, while Stuart Jordan at full back capably coped with the kicks that came his way on a frequent basis during the match.