U19 XV have memorable win at home to Ballynahinch Courage, Determination and Skill see U19’s through a tricky league encounter
Instonians, U19’s, 19 – Ballynahinch, 13
Conditions fine.
This was a great game of rugby! It held everyone’s attention right up to the end. Instonians emerged victors in a contest in which no quarter was given or asked.
Because of injuries and unavailability Instonians turned up at Shaw’s Bridge with only 15 players. It meant that some guys had to play out of position. It is also a very new team, with quite a few newcomers this year. This made their victory all the more impressive against a well organised and talented Ballynahinch side.
It was Ballynahinch who drew the first blood. They kicked a penalty after an Instonian’s infringement after 6 minutes. It took Instonians only three minutes to take the lead. Jonny Spratt, this week playing at scrum –half, made a fantastic break down the right hand touchline. He almost made it to the try line before Ballynahinch could react; he drew the last defender and passed to supporting winger Declan Walshe, who had still a lot to do to beat the closing cover and run in for his maiden try near the posts. This is Declan’s second or third game of rugby, but he made it look like he is born for the game. It was great to see him score the first of what will be, hopefully, many tries in Instonian colours. Peter Bates slotted the conversion to put his side 7-3 up.
For the remainder of the half both sides enjoyed periods of pressure in what became a pulsating game. Defences were strong with some big hits going in. It looked like Instonians would go in at half time in the lead. But Ballynahinch mounted a lot of pressure in the last five minutes. A defensive error allowed them to set up camp inside the Instonian 22. They retained the ball well and used their big pack to pick and go in the red zone. These thrusts were generally well contained but their scrum-half saw an opening round the fringe and shot through it without a hand being led on him for a great try. The successful conversion gave Ballynahinch a slender 10-7 advantage at the interval.
It was Instonians who started the stronger side in the second half. They were varying their attack well. Conor Ferguson, normally a very abrasive centre, was having a fantastic game at number 8. Time and again he picked up and made yards from both set piece and breakdown. He provided an excellent target for the pack to latch on to, by either taking short passes from him or winning quick ball in the tackle zone. When the ball did get moved through the three-quarters they caused a lot of trouble for the defence, as each possessed their own attacking threat. After 7 minutes the ball was moved wide to Michael Melville on the wing. He made a very strong run which took him almost to the line. When held up it was Conor Ferguson who continued the move to score a really well deserved try. Peter Bates – this week playing as a flanker – added the extras.
Ballynahinch still had plenty to offer. They mounted periods of attack but generally were not able to vary their game as well as Instonians. They chose to use their big forwards a lot, but with Instonians rarely missing a tackle in their pressure defence, the moves seldom caused a breach and were well contained. Indeed it was the Instonian tackling that was a major feature of the game. Even when Ballynahinch tried to run the ball through their backs they were being hit with mighty tackles by out-half and both centres.
At full back Grant Dillon was the essence of composure and reliability. He fielded kicks impeccably and showed good judgement in deciding when to run and kick. When Instonians scored their third try after 17 minutes they looked to have made the match safe. They drove to the Ballynahinch line and were repelled by a determined defence on several occasions. It was Jonny Spratt, playing the rugby of his life, who saw the smallest of opportunities; he picked up a yard from the line to dive in for a try under the noses of the Ballynahinch defence. This time the conversion was missed from wide out.
If anyone thought Ballynahinch were finished they were wrong. They started to up their own attack and enjoyed a period inside the Instonian half. Eventually, they were awarded a penalty which they opted to kick to put them back to within six points and about eight minutes left on the clock. Instonian support began to sweat!
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when Instonians were awarded their own penalty not too far out. The kick looked good but faded at the last moment to hit an upright and bounce out! There were still six points in it and the anxiety of Instonian supporters began to rise. Surely we were not going to be denied after such a brave and determined performance? As the clock ticked away the Instonian defence held firm but there was still a measure of relief when the referee blew no-side.
It had been a great game with much credit to both sides. Practically all the Instonian team could have been considered for the man of the match award. The whole front row were immense, especially in their tackle count. The second row of Ben Davis and Robbie Alexander were everywhere. The back row, although not having played as a unit, showed up well against a big opposition pack. Conor Ferguson, playing out of position, had a memorable game, but the man of the match had surely to go to Jonny Spratt – again playing out of position but teasing the opposition and showing his all round rugby skills. Well done to all!
Pictures at link below:
https://picasaweb.google.com/110920415017390952904/InstonianGamesAtShaw
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