It was last minute heartbreak for a battling Dromore who lost in the final play of the match to Ballynahinch 2nd XV in a thrilling Junior Cup tie at Ballymacarn Park on Saturday afternoon.
I arrived at this game about 15 minutes late and Hinch were leading 7 – 3 thanks to a Ronan Patterson try converted by Matthew Norton with Dromore’s full back Adam McDonald replying through a successful penalty.
I had just sat down in the bottom corner when Dromore went over for a try at the other end of the pitch to take the score to 7 – 8. A scuffle erupted, resulting in a stern talking to for try scorer Aaron Stewart who got 10 minutes in the bin.
Awarded a penalty restart, Hinch piled on the pressure with their player advantage but it looked as though Dromore were going to hold on till the break until the busy Patterson sneaked over in the corner for an unconverted try to give Hinch a 12 – 8 lead at the break.
A Harry McCormack try out wide, expertly converted by Norton, looked to have given Hinch some breathing space at the start of the second half but Dromore came roaring back in a purple patch which saw the second row Andrew Black hit the line at his second attempt, after a period of sustained pressure in the Hinch 22.
Dromore’s left wing Ben Russell followed minutes later with a well timed run through the centre and with full back McDonald converting both Dromore had inched ahead 19 – 22 with their 14 point burst.
The lead didn’t last long as Hinch kicked to the corner and pinned Dromore in their own 22 until Keith Dickson burrowed over to restore the lead, Norton adding the extras to take the score to 26 – 22.
However the scoring wasn’t finished in a frenetic third quarter as Dromore’s Russell blasted down the wing for his second try in 10 minutes. The impressive fullback, and captain, McDonald who appeared all over the park in Dromore’s purple patch, knocked over the extras to put Dromore 26 – 29 in front with well over 15 minutes remaining.
Dromore didn’t get out of their half much for the remainder of the game but they seemed to be controlling the tempo as the game lurched from set piece to set piece. However, Hinch maintained their composure right up to the last play where they worked Conor Phillips over in the corner for the wining score.
Great game, a credit to both sides. Thanks to Dromore and Hinch for providing the scorers.
