Malone end the Ballynahinch winning run

Malone hosted rivals and League leaders Ballynahinch at Gibson Park on Saturday, this was an eagerly anticipated clash between the unbeaten Ballynahinch side and Malone who had made a great early start to the season but who had lost some momentum over recent weeks.
Malone were at full strength with Their Ulster players having been released, Niall O'Connor occupied the 10 berth with John Creighton at scrum half. Connor Joyce and Alan O'Connor in the pack with Jake Caulfield on the bench.

The match conditions were satisfactory with the pitch heavy in places and the light fading the game commenced under floodlights.

Malone made a superb start to the game and before the visitors could find their feet Malone took advantage of a poor defensive kick from Blane McIlroy saw a charge down from Niall O’Connor, John Creighton gathered the ball and ran into open space before off loading to winger Chris Leathem who scored a superb try in the corner, Niall O’Conner missed the conversion to give Malone an early 5-0 lead on 7 minutes. The game restarted with a penalty awarded to Malone after Hinch”s Roger McBurney had made a late challenge on Leathem, Niall failed to hit the target as the ball drifted right of the posts.

Hinch found it difficult to get possession of the ball in the opening 20 minutes and when they did some poor handling and kicking options saw possession returned to the home side. Malone increased their lead on 12 min when John Crieghtons box kick looked to be heading for the line but Adam Craig failed to gather the ball and the ball bounced and took a different path eventually crossing the line for the pursuing Michael Barker to pounce on. Niall was off target again this left Malone ahead by 10-0.

The home crowd spurned on at this great start got behind the team and Malone were out playing Ballynahinch in every part of the game, whilst the visitors appeared sluggish and just going through the motions, continuos infringements at the breakdown wasn’t helping and the visitors were fortunate that Niall O’Connor failed to score from several penalty opportunities. Malone struck again when O’Connor kicked into the corner to set up the catch and drive, the ball was secured from the line out and James McCallister drove over the line, the subsequent conversion again missed to leave them ahead by 15-0. Had Niall”s kicking form been up to his usual high standard Malone could of been out of sight.

Towards the end of the opening half the visitors lifted their game and were rewarded with a try from their captain Chris Stevenson who scored after some good work by the pack the ball was spun wide for Stevenson to score, the conversion was missed to leave Malone ahead by 15-5 at the interval.

The second half saw playing conditions worsened with failing light and heavy rain it didn’t help either side put together any meaningful phases of play. The visitors started the half with much more intent and were rewarded with a try on 46 min when the ball was driven into the Malone 22 the visitors worked the ball through their forwards for a number of phases before moving it wide to Adam Craig who was forced over the line, Quinn added the conversion to leave Hinch trailing by 15-12.

Quinn and O’Connor both had further penalty opportunities but neither could find the target, however on 64 min it was Quinn again who tied the game at 15-15 when he kicked a penalty for the visitors. Both side continued to press for the victory, thre home side attacked the Hinch line using both forwards and backs, however the sound visiting defence could not be breached.

It was Hinch who had the last attack when Chis Quinn got pass Chris Leathem and headed for the line it was left to Taylor Acheson to intercept Quinn, Quinn attempted to change direction and under pressure lost his footing on the muddy surface.

The game ended in a draw 15 points apiece, Malone will feel they missed a golden opportunity to topple the league leaders whilst Ballynahinch will be grateful to have gotten something from a game they looked like losing.
The rematch at Ballymacarn Park under floodlights on Friday the 5th March will be one not to be missed.
Final Score: Malone 15 Ballynahinch 15

Malone 15 Taylor Acheson, 14 Michael Barker, 13 Johnny Burgess, 12 Josh Pentland, 11 Chris Leathem, 10 Niall O'Connor, 9 Johnny Creighton, 8 Glen Moore, 7 Neil Alcorn, 6 Connor Joyce, 5 James McCallister, 4 Alan O'Connor, 3 Chris Taylor, 2 Darryl Maxwell, 1 David Halliday.

Replacements: 16 Simon Bailie, 17 Jake Caulfield, 18 Corrie Tipping, 19 Lee Barlow, 20 Shane Kelly.

Ballynahinch: 15 Roger McBurney, 14 Adam Craig, 13 Stuart Morrow, 12 Robin Harte, 11 Chris Quinn, 10 James Thompson, 9 Blane McIlroy, 8 Neil Faloon, Josh Donaldson, 6 Robert Greer, 5 James Simpson, 4 Chris Napier, 3 Jonny Simpson, 2 Andrew Harper, 1 Chris Stevenson.

Replacements: 16 Aaron Ferris, 17 Gavin Armstrong, 18 Jonny Madden, 19 Michael Lawton, 20 Andy Irwin.