Buccs unable to make pressure count as Ballynahinch hold on

The old adage "a good start is half the battle" was well and truly copper-fastened at Dubarry Park on Saturday when Ballynahinch laid down a match-winning platform on the base of ten points scored in eleven minutes at the start of this crunch AIB League Division 1B encounter. 'Hinch grew noticeably in confidence and, more crucially, resolve on the back of securing a lead they never surrendered, despite Buccs having possibly 70% of possession in an absorbing (if often frustrating for the home supporters) duel played in windy and wet conditions in front of a disappointing and disappointed attendance for this Tubbercurry Engineering sponsored match. Thus Ballynahinch made a happy return to the scene of their greatest triumph when winning the AIB Cup crown in Athlone last season. The home side were again forced to field a quite depleted backline with J.H.Potgeiter, Paul Harte, John O'Brien and Billy Henshaw all ruled out through injury, while no Connacht frontliners were available due to the province's Magners League game in Wales on the following afternoon. However, Buccs cannot on this occasion use these absences as an excuse for Ballynahinch too are enduring a torrid time in respect of injuries and results. Thus it was two understrength sides that battled courageously and with no little commitment to the bitter end in testing conditions. The midlanders had enough possession and territory to win but primarily lacked the necessary guile and pace to outwit or outmanoeuvre a dogged, mainly rearguard display by the northerners. Buccaneers fielded an unchanged pack but only Conor Lavelle, Alex Hayman and Adam Kennedy retained their starting berths from the previous outing at Dungannon. Sean Stapleton and Gavin Kelly formed a new centre pairing while Marcus Madden and James O'Connell came in on the wings, giving the home side no less than three hookers in their three-quarters line! Buccs had first benefit of the elements but Ballynahinch drew first blood, Ryan Bambry slotting over a cheap 5th minute penalty after a home player did not roll away after tackling. The home side got a prompt opportunity to respond when a fine Stephen Burke foray forced a penalty but Kennedy's placekick lacked conviction. He then made a poor clearance that gave Hinch a foothold near the home 22 on 10 minutes, and worse was to follow when poor defending allowed the visitors get the ball acrossfield much too easily to Cullen who skinned O'Connell wide on the left for a very soft try. Bambry drilled over an excellent conversion from near the touchline to give his side their early 10-0 cushion. But Robert Greer did not deal with authority on the restart and Stapleton chasing up forced a penalty which Kennedy converted from the left. Six minutes later, the young scrumhalf knocked over another penalty after Hinch were guilty of coming in from the side, reducing the margin to 10-6 before the end of the opening quarter. The Co. Down side had a couple of try chances but the Buccs defence was not found wanting after their early lapse and - with Stapleton, Stephen Burke and Lavelle all making big hits - the midlanders were now forcing the pace. But they were to rue a real try opportunity in the final move of the half, when Padraig Burke cut back infield when his side had an overlap to his right and so the scoreline remained unchanged at half-time. On the resumption after the break, Kelly lofted an ill-judged garryowen that tempted one of his teammates offside in the opening moments and New Zealander Bambry did not squander this gilt-edged penalty to give the Ulstermen more breathing space. But Buccs were now picking and driving to improving effect and purpose and Ballynahinch were coming under growing pressure. The visitors conceded a number of penalties in quick succession, forcing referee Brian MacNeice to have a brief chat with the 'Hinch captain Stuart Lamb. Buccs opted to work the touchline to gain a serious foothold inside the northerners 22 but, although they came tantalisingly close on a number of occasions, they just could not forage the try that would surely have turned this game. The fierce pressure seemed sure to be rewarded, especially when Hayman got possession eight metres out on 55 minutes but the strong centre opted to offload when his strength may have carried him through and Stapleton was nailed in possession by a steadfast Hinch defence. However, Buccs' sustained endeavours finally gained some recompense when Kennedy coolly converted a 62nd minute penalty. Buccs now piled forward relentlessly but handling errors proved costly and a needless over the top dive coughed up another foothold before Ballynahinch finally got their hands on the ball to force a vital turnover to lift the siege two minutes from time. So, try as they might, Buccs fell short at the bitter end. But, in reality, this game was won and lost in the opening half when Buccs (not for the first time this season) conceded crucial early scores, while Ballynahinch were boosted by their quickfire scoring spurt. Buccs had plenty of time and a vast amount of possession thereafter but their lineout work was disappointing on the day, they spilled possession far too readily, and their ploy in booming kicks backfired with too many going dead or straight into touch, frequently keeping Hinch out of their danger zone. Buccs just could not fashion a try that would surely have ensured that they would have had more than a Bonus point to show for their endeavours. Stephen Burke, Stapleton, Madden and Martin Staunton all toiled ceaselessly for Buccaneers but Hinch took the spoils that lifts them over now bottom-placed Buccs and in Lamb they had a worthy 'Athlone Springs Hotel man of the match' winner. The skipper was the dominant force on the day and he received tremendous support from Stevenson, Michael Graham, McAleese and the judicious boot of Bambry as they leap-frogged Buccs in the league table. SCORERS - Ballynahinch: Ryan Bambry (2 pens & 1 con) & Jonny Cullen (try). Buccaneers: Adam Kennedy (3 pens). BUCCANEERS: C.Lavelle; M.Madden, G.Kelly, S.Stapleton, J.O'Connell; A.Hayman, A.Kennedy; M.Staunton, G.Halligan, C.Higgins; P.Burke, J.Tormey; S.Burke, C.Watters and C.Rigney (captain). Replacements used: D.Byrne (for O'Connell, 62 mins), B.Gilligan (for Staunton, 68), A.Hughes (for P. Burke, 68), B.O'Carroll (for Kelly, 71). BALLYNAHINCH: H.McAleese; M.Scott, J.Cullen, S.Morrow, K.Corrigan; R.Bambry, D.Drake; C.Stevenson, D.McGregor, P.McAllister; J.Graham, R.Greer; M.Graham, J.Donaldson and S.Lamb (captain). Replacements used: L. Johnston (for McAllister, 55 mins), J. Simpson (for Donalson, 66), M. Kirkwood (for Drake, 68 mins). REFEREE: Brian MacNeice (Leinster).