Ballymena v Ballynahinch 3rd December 2011 by Richard Mulligan

BALLYMENA go into the All Ireland League festive break as leaders of Ulster Bank Division 1B after this narrow, but deserved, home success over their Ulster rivals.
Going into the game, Ballynahinch were sitting top of the pile a point ahead of the chasing Braidsiders.
The previous two AIL meeting at Eaton Park had gone either way, with Ballymena winning 15-13 two years ago and last season the Hinch winning 18-15.
In that there was a reasonable clue on how close things were going to be and although the game did not live up to its pre-match billing, given the stakes both sides were not prepared to take too many risks.
The packs practically cancelled each other out at the scrum, while the Ballymena lineout functioned marginally better than the visitors.
Ballymena played a lower risk game than Ballynahinch, who at times seemed surprisingly impatient and chose to attack from deep rather than build the phases.
It came down to the kickers, with Ballymena winger, John Semple kicking two from two attempts and Hinch outhalf, James Lash, completing one from three efforts – with the missed pair well within his range.
The stiff wind was going to be a major factor in the game, but neither outhalf really exploited it to its full advantage when they had it at their backs.
It was a day for kicking to the corners, but it rarely happened. While Hinch probably did it marginally more often, their lineout simply spluttered and coughed up ball to Ballymena.
Both defences were also well on top, Ballymena particularly impressive, although Ballynahinch winger, Robin Harte, almost sneaked in for a try near the end which would have given them the spoils.
Hinch had all the possession in the first quarter and a quick tap penalty on four minutes saw Harte break and had skipper Neil Hanna and winger, Aaron Ferris in support, who both carried before the ball ended up in touch.
As so often happens, on what was their first meaningful attack, Ballymena forced a penalty and Semple made no mistake to give the home side a 3-0 lead after 11 minutes.
It seemed to spur the Braidmen on and they were to enjoy a purple patch although a couple of handling errors on a number of phases was to thwart their progress.
Turnover ball from a Ballymena attack saw the Hinch on the offensive with a huge break out from centre James Thompson with Roger McBurney finally getting over to nail him and halt the immediate danger after 23 minutes.
Again Ballynahinch enjoyed the possession and the territory and the pressure finally yielded a penalty, but Lash pushed his kick left.
It was the home side’s time to up the ante again and a lovely penalty kick to touch from Semple put them in an excellent position close to the Hinch line – but the lineout failed and Hinch were able to clear.
After several warnings to both sides about killing the ball and not releasing the tackler, referee Dudley Phillips’ patience finally wore thin and Hinch blindside, Johnny Madden, was sent to the sin-bin.
Semple kicked what was to prove a crucial penalty in injury time to make it 6-0 for the home side – but with the wind it was hard to believe it would ever be enough.
The game became a battle of the packs in the middle of the pitch for most of the second quarter. Ballymena openside, Paul Pritchard was winning the battle of the number sevens, the Hinch’s Willie Faloon not able to make the usual huge impression he does when playing for his club.
The pressure from the visitors finally told with an offside penalty, but again Lash was unable to find his range.
Ballymena enjoyed another spell of pressure, but the visiting defence were up to the test and the closing 10 minutes were to be dominated by the Hinch.
But the continual problem with their lineout and turning over ball at crucial times was starting to hurt, although from one good lineout and maul they moved ball wide and Harte was just held up close to the try line.
However, there had been an offside previously and, from in front of the posts, Lash finally registered a successful kick with six minutes on the clock.
Ballymena showed great composure in the closing minutes to maintain their discipline and snuff the Hinch out.
A box kick clearance from the impressive Blane McIlroy almost caught the Hinch out when Roger McBurney chased and won possession, but the counter attack came to nothing.
Hinch rolled the dice one final time, but when they had ball turned over, McBurney booted it into touch to secure the points.
BALLYMENA: Ricky Andrew; Roger McBurney, Ali Fraser, Richard Aingworth, John Semple; Martin Irwin, Blane McIlroy; Callum Black, John Burns, Conor Carey, Darrell O’Kane, Joel Andrew, Andrew Kerr, Paul Pritchard (capt), Ross Hackney.
Replacements: James Carson, Andrew Warwick, Stephen Mullholland, Josh Christie, David O’Hara.
BALLYNAHINCH: David Nicholson; Robin Harte, Stuart Morrow, James Thompson, Aaron Ferris; James Lash, Harry McAleese; Johnny Simpson, Neil Hanna (capt), Jerry Cronin, James Simpson, Chris Hapier, Johnny Madden, Willie Faloon, Johnny Graham.
Replacements: Aaron Cairns, Adam Craig, Chris Stevenson, Kyle McCall, David McGuigan
Ref: Dudely Phillips (Leinster).
News Letter Man of the match: Paul Pritchard (Ballymena­).