Ballynahinch will be delighted to leave Gibson Park, with a win over a very dogged Malone team, in the first round of games in Ulster Conference 1 of the Community Series.
Report and images by Bob Given.
Both teams sounded each out in the first quarter, before Aaron Cairns ran in an unconverted try from deep to give Ballynahinch a 5 – 0 lead.
Malone responded soon after taking the lead with a James McAllister try, converted by Rory Campbell.
Ballynahinch hit back with a close range Zac Ward unconverted try but not to be outdone Malone responded with a Ben McCaughey try, converted by Campbell, on the stroke of half time, to leave Malone leading 14 – 10 at the break.
On 45 minutes a Campbell penalty increased Malone’s lead to 17 -10.
Thereafter Ballynahinch began to dominate the loose play resulting in tries from Ross Adair, Rhys O’Donnell and Connor Phillips, two converted by Greg Buckley.
Ballynahinch were well worth their win in this first round of games.
