Lisburn go out of Junior Cup

Lisburn are currently suffering a severe early season injury crisis and the unavailability of five or six of their squad did not help them in this very tough first round draw of the Junior Cup.

Nevertheless, the final scoreline hardly reflected the effort which the home squad put into this game.

Played in excellent conditions, both teams threw the ball around in very quick tempo fashion but it wasn’t until the 25th minute that the opening score appeared. The quick ‘Hinch backline were probing all day and their outside centre and wingers were always the men to watch, being instrumental in many of their scores.

The first try eventually came and the visitors were leading 0-7. Lisburn were giving as good as they got up front in a fine forward performance and it was good to see Matthew Brown back in Lisburn colours at open side prop where he encouraged his more youthful pack to a great effort.

It would be fair to say that the Lisburn pack held their own in the forward exchanges and it was only the excellence of a small number of ‘Hinch backs that made the difference to the scoreline.

Five minutes before the interval, Lisburn were unlucky to concede another try when a ‘Hinch kick ahead bounced very kindly into the hands of the following up kicker and he was able to pass the ball to a supporting colleague who ran in under the posts. 0-14 to Ballynahinch.

Within five minutes Lisburn reduced the deficit to 7-14 when a strong attack on the ‘Hinch line was rewarded with winger David Harkness breaking through the midfield defence to score. The half time whistle arrived with Lisburn still strongly in the hunt.

Alas, the second half saw ‘Hinch up their game and their backs once again proved the difference. Three tries were scored at intervals throughout the second period, though it has to be said that at least one of them had the suspicion of a forward pass which went undetected by the referee.

Nevertheless, the visitors led by 7-35 before Lisburn scored again through a great maul from the pack, with Matthew Edgar getting the reward for the touchdown. Chris Knox converted. The final score of 14 – 35 might have been closer but for the excellence of the ‘Hinch outside backs but Lisburn will be well pleased with their performance if not the final score.

Adam Melville played a stormer in defence and attack at outside centre and was ably supported by relative newcomers to the Lisburn 1st XV in Austin Erwin, Matthew Crossley and Reece Symmonds, the latter of whom was making his team debut. Up front it would be unfair to pick out individuals from what was a great pack effort and the team will now know that they have the personnel to improve their performance as they gel together with a bit more experience and practice.

Tomorrow the team travel to long time rivals Omagh who have been knocking up big scores in the opening weeks of the season and a very competitive match is in the offing. A good travelling support is hoped for to encourage the team. The 2nd XV, who had no match last Saturday, host Academy Seconds at Blaris.