Details

Date Time Competition Season
30 April 2022 2:30 pm AIL Division 1A Promotion Playoff 2021/22

Match Report

1A Relg P/O – Ballynahinch retain 1A status as UCC go down

Ballynahinch retained their Energia Division 1A status in a tense and enthralling relegation play-off.

'Hinch held a four point advantage from the first leg and after some riveting rugby in the first-half, that gap remained as the sides were level at 17 points apiece.

With a steady wind behind them, the Ulster side used their power up front and strength at set pieces to take control of the game. They consistently disrupted UCC line-outs and won several penalties at scrums.

Eventually their pressure told. A cross-field kick saw Aaron Cairns gather and set up Conor Rankin for his second try. Late on, Greg Hutley made the game, the tie and Ballynahinch's top division status secure, as he burst through the middle to touch-down.

The hosts came out of the blocks with all guns blazing;  carrying strongly with excellent support lines. A powerful burst by Bradley Luney was followed up by scrum-half Conor McAuley who was dragged down metres short of the line. The hosts recycled and McAuley spotted a gap to go over.

Conor Rankin converted and soon missed a penalty. However, his side quickly got the ball back with Izzy surging downfield. The ball was spread out wide to Aaron Cairns who stepped committed his tackler before offloading to Rankin for a try, extending the aggregate lead to 16 points. UCC regrouped and finally established some territory.

Wing-forward Jack O'Sullivan was  particularly inspirational and once they got close to the Twenty-Two they causing chaos for the opposing defence.

A tap-penalty by Tadgh McCarthy set up a position from which scrum-half Andrew O'Mahony touched down. Minutes later Ballynahinch initially thwarted a UCC attacking maul but overcommitted and UCC rolled the maul around to surge to the line.

Initially stopped short, Mark Bissessar then grabbed the ball and forced his way over. With Daniel Squires converting both tries, UCC effectively halved the aggregate deficit, leading 14-12 on the day.

George Pringle made an excellent fun for Ballynahinch late in the half, setting up Josh Hanlon for a try. A Squires penalty levelled the score on the day at half-time before a dominant forward showing saw the Ulster club pull away late on. 

Timeline

Past Meetings

(Relegation Playoff)
17 - 21
AIL Division 1A Promotion Playoff
The Mardyke

University College Cork Rugby v Ballynahinch RFC

(Round 13)
9 - 19
AIL Division 1A
The Mardyke

University College Cork Rugby v Ballynahinch RFC

(Round 6)
6 - 10
AIL Division 1A
Ballymacarn Park

Ballynahinch RFC v University College Cork Rugby

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