Seahorses finish their league campaign with a win, Ballynahinch u19, 7 – Seahorses U19, 31, 2 February 2013 at Ballynahinch
Instonians Seahorses U19’s had a comfortable away win at Ballynahinch. Played in sunny but cold conditions, with a heavy pitch after a lot of rain, Seahorses rounded off their league with a convincing win. It took just 3 minutes for Seahorses to score their first try when number 8, Andy Duncan, burst away from a ruck to run clear and score at the posts. Unfortunately the conversion was missed. Within a couple of minutes they were back on the attack and appeared to have scored two tries only to have them disallowed by the referee. The first was a kick ahead and chase over the Ballynahinch line which winger, Jonny Spratt, seemed to have won, but the ref awarded a five metre scrum to Seahorses to instead. A minute later Andy Duncan looked to have gathered from a scrum and bashed over under the posts, again the ref awarded a five metre scrum to Seahorses. CLICK HERE for the SHOTTSS “!””
Seahorses continued to exert all the pressure and were rewarded when Jonny Spratt ran clear down the left wing to score a try, converted by captain, Callum Lyle, after 21 minutes. The Seahorses pack was effective in both the set piece and at the breakdown where they frequently turned over ball. The back row, of Taylor Gillespie, Hayden Nightingale, and Andy Duncan were having a field day and securing a plentiful supply of good ball. Taylor was everywhere and making his familiar crushing tackles, while both Hayden and Andy were making ground every time they carried the ball. The ball was being won quickly at the breakdown and fed to the hungry backs. It was particularly pleasing to see Stephen Rooney, having his first game at out-half, in the absence of our two regular out-halves, having a very accomplished game. He handled and passed well and showed good tactical appreciation. His kicking was astute and accurate. When one considers that this is his first season in rugby it was a great display from a talented and confident player. One backs move was unlucky not to yield a try for winger, Kadhum Hasson, who was bundled into touch at the corner flag after a strong run.
A couple of minutes before half-time Seahorses had to replace Taylor Gillespie when he picked up an ankle injury. His replacement, Andy Davis, kept up the good work and involved himself in everything. After 33 minutes Seahorses were awarded a penalty inside the Ballynahinch 22, which they tapped and fed to Andy Duncan who proved unstoppable again on the charge. His second try was converted by Callum Lyle to leave the score at 19-0 at half-time.
Shortly after the break Seahorses began to empty their bench. Inevitably they lost a little of their cohesion and fluency with the changes. Playing on the blindside flank, Hayden Nightingale, should his physicality when he drove over from a five metre scrum after 8 minutes. This try went unconverted. The next score did not come until 23 minutes when big second row, Robbie Alexander, who had taken on the mantle of main ball carrier, was able to charge over from 15 metres out. Callum Lyle added the conversion. Substitute winger, Paddy Forrest, enjoyed an excellent run after that but was not able to turn it into points. As Ballynahinch came more into the game in the last 10 minutes it took excellent tackling from centres Connor Ferguson and Callum Lyle to keep them at bay. With about two minutes left Ballynahinch were rewarded for their comeback when they turned they got in behind the Seahorses defence for a good try in the corner. This was converted by an excellent kick to leave the final score 7-31 in Seahorses’ favour.
After not having played for several weeks because of the weather Seahorses will be pleased by this performance, yet they will know that they are capable of even better. They have finished their league with just one loss, 10-11 at home to Banbridge, and two draws against Malone and Clogher Valley. They will now have to await other results to see where they are placed in their league and if they have made the play-offs. However, it sets them up very well in the two cup competitions which are to follow. The first is on Wednesday night, 6th February, in the Knutty Crust Competition against Newry, with a 7-45pm kick off at Portadown.
