There were mixed results for Ulster Clubs in the weekend's Ulster Bank League games.
Ulster Bank League Division 1A Relegation / Promotion Play-Off:
Ballynahinch 41 Buccaneers 19
John Dickson reports from Ballymacarn Park
Ballynahinch served up a 5 try feast in front of a large home support in the first of their end of season playoff games.
The County Down men have discovered a winning streak at the end of what has been a very tough season and they put in a powerful second half display to secure another vital victory in their quest to remain in Division 1A next season.
The Hinch made a very poor start, fullback Justin Rea failing to deal with a bouncing ball which was collected by Buccs wing Darin Claasen and he sprinted clear to score at the posts. Conor McKeon converted to give the Athlone men a 7-point lead with just a minute played.
Hinch hit back in the 12th minute when David Nicholson collected a loose pass and put Stuart Morrow clear. Morrow found Sam Windsor in support, the Hinch outhalf passing inside to Aaron Carins to race under the posts for a well worked score. Read added the extras to tie the score at 7-7.
Buccs centre Conor Finn intercepted a pass from Windsor on the edge of the Hinch 22 in the 19th minute. He headed into the Hinch half of the field then put in a lovely weighted kick for the left corner flag and Claasen collected the ball to dive over for his second try. McKeon added the conversion to take his side move 7-14 clear.
The home side has a number of opportunities in the last quarter of the but only added to their tally through a well struck penalty goal from Rea in the 37th minute. In the final play of the first half Hinch finished off a period of patient continuity play with a neat chip over the defence from Windsor which he collected to score behind the posts. Rea added the extras to take the Hinch into a narrow 17-14 lead at halftime.
It was the home side that started the sharpest in the second half as centre Jordan Grattan raced clear in the first minute which ended in a penalty for the Hinch, which Rea converted for a 20-14 advantage.
In the 50th minute Buccs number 8 Kolo Kiripati was yellow cared for foul play. Hinch kicked into the corner for field position. John Donnan secured the lineout and Conor Joyce was driven over for a well taken score. Rea was on target again to take the Hinch 27-14 clear.
Hinch struck again in the 56th minute when a break by Windsor put David Busby clear and he dived over for the fourth try which was converted by Rea for a 34-14 lead.
The visitors kept plugging away and Darin Claasen bagged his hat-trick in the 63rd minute, but this time the score went unconverted, to close the gap to 34-19.
The final Hinch try came in the 73rd minute following a great lineout take by Donnan found Jonny Murphy at pace, and the hooker smashed his way over for the score. Rea converted to complete the scoring (41-19) and keep the Hinch survival quest alive with a final play-off clash against Trinity set for Ballymacarn Park next Saturday.
Speaking after the game Hinch coach Derek Sufferin said, "It was a slow start from us and Buccs capitalised on some of our early mistakes and they got away. I think we showed good character in the last ten minutes before halftime to get back in front, and at halftime it was a real boost of confidence for us to turn around and play towards the clubhouse, with a little bit of the elements in the second half. We were pretty clinical and scored some really good ties. We also defended well for a period and Buccs did well to get in for a late try.
"Because of the situation we have got ourselves into we have tried to give the boys some freedom and allowed them to really have a go at the opposition and get some energy into our play and raise the tempo of our game and I am happy enough tonight.
"Now we face Trinity next week and it is going to be a very different challenge. They are a very good side, they are up another level, they play a beautiful brand of rugby, they are very fit, very good on the ground and in defence. They have some very good rugby players, and it is going to be another challenge for us which I think we are up to, especially at home."
BALLYNAHINCH 41 BUCCANEERS 19, Ballymacarn Park
Scorers: Ballynahinch: Tries: Aaron Cairns, Sam Windsor, Conor Joyce, David Busby, Jonny Murphy; Cons: Justin Rea 5; Pens: Justin Rea 2
Buccaneers: Tries: Darin Claasen 3; Cons: Conor McKeon 2
HT: Ballynahinch 17 Buccaneers 14
BALLYNAHINCH: Justin Rea, David Busby, Davy Nicholson, Jordan Grattan, Stuart Morrow; Sam Windsor, Aaron Cairns; Jonny Simpson, Jonny Murphy, Craig Trenier, John Donnan, James Simpson, Conor Joyce, Paul Pritchard (capt), Michael Graham.
Replacements: Jonny Blair, Zack McCall, Lorcan Dow, James McBriar, Chris Gibson, Ben Pentland, Aaron Ferris.
BUCCANEERS: Alan Gaughan; Rory O'Connor, Conor Finn, Ben Carty, Callum Boland; Conor McKeon, Conor Lowndes; Martin Staunton (capt), Shane Delahunt, Saba Meunargia, Cian Romaine, Daniel Qualter, Evan Galvin, Rory Moloney, Kolo Kiripati.
Replacements: Rory Grenham, Jacob Walshe, Ruairi Byrne, Paul Gallogly, Ricky Dixon, Eoghan O'Reilly, Shane Layden.
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Ulster Bank League Division 1A Relegation / Promotion Play-Off:
Dublin University 25 Ballymena 20
Dublin University will make the trip north to take on Ballynahinch next weekend after running out 25-20 winners over Ballymena at College Park.
Trinity out-half Jack McDermott has emerged as the top points scorer across the league’s top two tiers in 2015/16, and he took his tally to 190 points with four important kicks on Saturday afternoon.
He kicked the opening points from an early scrum penalty to set the students on their way to a 15-10 interval lead, with full-back Conor Kearns squeezing over in the corner for their opening try.
Although winger Max McFarland profited for an overlap for a well-taken second score, resilient Ballymena quickly hit back with a converted effort from Ulster hooker John Andrew.
An Andrew Magrath penalty cut the gap to five points and into the second period, influential lock Connor Smyth forced his way over to tie things up at 15-all.
However, Ballymena lost their discipline at a crucial stage with two sin-binnings in quick succession, as a McDermott penalty put Trinity back in front.
Second row Raef Tyrrell then muscled his way over for the hosts’ third touchdown before he too saw yellow, and a quick tap allowed Clive Ross to cross for the Braidmen from close range.
DUBLIN UNIVERSITY 25 BALLYMENA 20, College Park
Scorers: Dublin University: Tries: Conor Kearns, Max McFarland, Raef Tyrrell; Cons: Jack McDermott 2; Pens: Jack McDermott 2
Ballymena: Tries: John Andrew, Connor Smyth, Clive Ross; Con: Andrew Magrath; Pen: Andrew Magrath
HT: Dublin University 15 Ballymena 10
DUBLIN UNIVERSITY: Conor Kearns; Tim Maupin, Michael Courtney, Paddy Lavelle, Max McFarland; Jack McDermott, Angus Lloyd; Eric O'Sullivan, Paddy Finlay, Andy Keating, Jack Burke, Raef Tyrrell, Nick McCarthy (capt), Brian du Toit, Tom Ryan.
Replacements: Matt McCann, Tom Collis, James Bollard, Cian O'Dwyer, Conor Gleeson, Brian Slater, Colm Hogan.
BALLYMENA: Rodger McBurney; Kieran Joyce, Callum Patterson, Martin Irwin (capt), James Beattie; Andrew Magrath, David Shanahan; Michael Lagan, John Andrew, Chris Cundell, Mark Foster, Connor Smyth, Clive Ross, Willie McKay, Stephen Mulholland.
Replacements: Oliver Miller, Dominic Gallagher, Ritchie McMaster, Glen Baillie, Jordan Foster.
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Ulster Bank League Division 2A Promotion Play-Off:
Banbridge 21 UCC 41
This was a showdown between 2nd and 3rd in Division 2A at Rifle Park on Saturday afternoon.
The sides had already played twice this year and shared one win each so this was expected to be a tight affair between 2 sides chasing promotion.
However, it was the visitors UCC who claimed an impressive 20 point victory and will now play Blackrock, with a place in Division 1B the reward for the winners.
BANBRIDGE 21 UCC 41, Rifle Park
Scorers: Banbridge: Tries: Steve Irvine, Andrew Morrison 2; Cons: Adam Doherty 3
UCC: Tries: Chris McAuliffe, Kevin Slater, Paul Kiernan 2, Eddie Earl 2; Con: Tim Clifford 4; Pen: Tim Clifford
HT: Banbridge 21 UCC 22
BANBRIDGE: Adam Doherty; John Porter, Andrew Morrison, James Andrews, Miles O'Hagan; Robin Thompson, Josh Cromie; Stuart Cromie, Andrew Jackson, James McCrum, Chris Allen, Kallan Martin, Mike Bentley, Dale Carson, Stephen Irvine (capt).
Replacements: Paul Ross/Peter Cromie, Colin Bickerstaff/Ross Haughey, Robin Sinton, Andy Brown, Jason Gribben, Shandon Scott, Macauley Little.
UCC: Chris McAuliffe; Kevin O'Keeffe, Kevin Slater (capt), Paul Kiernan, James Kiernan; Tim Clifford, Charlie O'Regan; Charlie Slowey, Ben Burns, Rob O'Donovan, Ben Mitchell, Barra O'Byrne, Cathal Gallagher, Conor Barry, Eddie Earl.
Replacements: Shane O'Hanlon, Finion McDermott, Richard Moran, Cillian Ansbro, Gerry Ryan, Rob Slater, Daragh Dennehy.
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Ulster Bank League Round-Robin Qualifier:
Clonmel 12 Bangor 29
Bangor are back in the Ulster Bank League for the first time since 2002 after finishing top of the Provincial Qualifying League.
Bangor travelled south to Clonmel on Saturday, knowing that their fate lay in their own hands and a win would guarantee them at least a play-off spot. What unfolded was a superb victory that clinched top-spot and a place in Division 2C next season.
In Saturday’s other Provincial Qualifying League game Enniscorthy beat Westport 45-5 at Ross Road to finish runners-up in the Round-Robin series. Enniscorthy will now play Sligo (9th, Division 2C) in a relegation/promotion play-off.
This result caps off a tremendous year for Bangor, who have already collected the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup and the Powerade Towns Cup.
Ulster Bank League Division 1A Relegation / Promotion Play-Off:
Ballynahinch 41 Buccaneers 19
John Dickson reports from Ballymacarn Park
Ballynahinch served up a 5 try feast in front of a large home support in the first of their end of season playoff games.
The County Down men have discovered a winning streak at the end of what has been a very tough season and they put in a powerful second half display to secure another vital victory in their quest to remain in Division 1A next season.
The Hinch made a very poor start, fullback Justin Rea failing to deal with a bouncing ball which was collected by Buccs wing Darin Claasen and he sprinted clear to score at the posts. Conor McKeon converted to give the Athlone men a 7-point lead with just a minute played.
Hinch hit back in the 12th minute when David Nicholson collected a loose pass and put Stuart Morrow clear. Morrow found Sam Windsor in support, the Hinch outhalf passing inside to Aaron Carins to race under the posts for a well worked score. Read added the extras to tie the score at 7-7.
Buccs centre Conor Finn intercepted a pass from Windsor on the edge of the Hinch 22 in the 19th minute. He headed into the Hinch half of the field then put in a lovely weighted kick for the left corner flag and Claasen collected the ball to dive over for his second try. McKeon added the conversion to take his side move 7-14 clear.
The home side has a number of opportunities in the last quarter of the but only added to their tally through a well struck penalty goal from Rea in the 37th minute. In the final play of the first half Hinch finished off a period of patient continuity play with a neat chip over the defence from Windsor which he collected to score behind the posts. Rea added the extras to take the Hinch into a narrow 17-14 lead at halftime.
It was the home side that started the sharpest in the second half as centre Jordan Grattan raced clear in the first minute which ended in a penalty for the Hinch, which Rea converted for a 20-14 advantage.
In the 50th minute Buccs number 8 Kolo Kiripati was yellow cared for foul play. Hinch kicked into the corner for field position. John Donnan secured the lineout and Conor Joyce was driven over for a well taken score. Rea was on target again to take the Hinch 27-14 clear.
Hinch struck again in the 56th minute when a break by Windsor put David Busby clear and he dived over for the fourth try which was converted by Rea for a 34-14 lead.
The visitors kept plugging away and Darin Claasen bagged his hat-trick in the 63rd minute, but this time the score went unconverted, to close the gap to 34-19.
The final Hinch try came in the 73rd minute following a great lineout take by Donnan found Jonny Murphy at pace, and the hooker smashed his way over for the score. Rea converted to complete the scoring (41-19) and keep the Hinch survival quest alive with a final play-off clash against Trinity set for Ballymacarn Park next Saturday.
Speaking after the game Hinch coach Derek Sufferin said, "It was a slow start from us and Buccs capitalised on some of our early mistakes and they got away. I think we showed good character in the last ten minutes before halftime to get back in front, and at halftime it was a real boost of confidence for us to turn around and play towards the clubhouse, with a little bit of the elements in the second half. We were pretty clinical and scored some really good ties. We also defended well for a period and Buccs did well to get in for a late try.
"Because of the situation we have got ourselves into we have tried to give the boys some freedom and allowed them to really have a go at the opposition and get some energy into our play and raise the tempo of our game and I am happy enough tonight.
"Now we face Trinity next week and it is going to be a very different challenge. They are a very good side, they are up another level, they play a beautiful brand of rugby, they are very fit, very good on the ground and in defence. They have some very good rugby players, and it is going to be another challenge for us which I think we are up to, especially at home."
BALLYNAHINCH 41 BUCCANEERS 19, Ballymacarn Park
Scorers: Ballynahinch: Tries: Aaron Cairns, Sam Windsor, Conor Joyce, David Busby, Jonny Murphy; Cons: Justin Rea 5; Pens: Justin Rea 2
Buccaneers: Tries: Darin Claasen 3; Cons: Conor McKeon 2
HT: Ballynahinch 17 Buccaneers 14
BALLYNAHINCH: Justin Rea, David Busby, Davy Nicholson, Jordan Grattan, Stuart Morrow; Sam Windsor, Aaron Cairns; Jonny Simpson, Jonny Murphy, Craig Trenier, John Donnan, James Simpson, Conor Joyce, Paul Pritchard (capt), Michael Graham.
Replacements: Jonny Blair, Zack McCall, Lorcan Dow, James McBriar, Chris Gibson, Ben Pentland, Aaron Ferris.
BUCCANEERS: Alan Gaughan; Rory O'Connor, Conor Finn, Ben Carty, Callum Boland; Conor McKeon, Conor Lowndes; Martin Staunton (capt), Shane Delahunt, Saba Meunargia, Cian Romaine, Daniel Qualter, Evan Galvin, Rory Moloney, Kolo Kiripati.
Replacements: Rory Grenham, Jacob Walshe, Ruairi Byrne, Paul Gallogly, Ricky Dixon, Eoghan O'Reilly, Shane Layden.
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Ulster Bank League Division 1A Relegation / Promotion Play-Off:
Dublin University 25 Ballymena 20
Dublin University will make the trip north to take on Ballynahinch next weekend after running out 25-20 winners over Ballymena at College Park.
Trinity out-half Jack McDermott has emerged as the top points scorer across the league’s top two tiers in 2015/16, and he took his tally to 190 points with four important kicks on Saturday afternoon.
He kicked the opening points from an early scrum penalty to set the students on their way to a 15-10 interval lead, with full-back Conor Kearns squeezing over in the corner for their opening try.
Although winger Max McFarland profited for an overlap for a well-taken second score, resilient Ballymena quickly hit back with a converted effort from Ulster hooker John Andrew.
An Andrew Magrath penalty cut the gap to five points and into the second period, influential lock Connor Smyth forced his way over to tie things up at 15-all.
However, Ballymena lost their discipline at a crucial stage with two sin-binnings in quick succession, as a McDermott penalty put Trinity back in front.
Second row Raef Tyrrell then muscled his way over for the hosts’ third touchdown before he too saw yellow, and a quick tap allowed Clive Ross to cross for the Braidmen from close range.
DUBLIN UNIVERSITY 25 BALLYMENA 20, College Park
Scorers: Dublin University: Tries: Conor Kearns, Max McFarland, Raef Tyrrell; Cons: Jack McDermott 2; Pens: Jack McDermott 2
Ballymena: Tries: John Andrew, Connor Smyth, Clive Ross; Con: Andrew Magrath; Pen: Andrew Magrath
HT: Dublin University 15 Ballymena 10
DUBLIN UNIVERSITY: Conor Kearns; Tim Maupin, Michael Courtney, Paddy Lavelle, Max McFarland; Jack McDermott, Angus Lloyd; Eric O'Sullivan, Paddy Finlay, Andy Keating, Jack Burke, Raef Tyrrell, Nick McCarthy (capt), Brian du Toit, Tom Ryan.
Replacements: Matt McCann, Tom Collis, James Bollard, Cian O'Dwyer, Conor Gleeson, Brian Slater, Colm Hogan.
BALLYMENA: Rodger McBurney; Kieran Joyce, Callum Patterson, Martin Irwin (capt), James Beattie; Andrew Magrath, David Shanahan; Michael Lagan, John Andrew, Chris Cundell, Mark Foster, Connor Smyth, Clive Ross, Willie McKay, Stephen Mulholland.
Replacements: Oliver Miller, Dominic Gallagher, Ritchie McMaster, Glen Baillie, Jordan Foster.
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Ulster Bank League Division 2A Promotion Play-Off:
Banbridge 21 UCC 41
This was a showdown between 2nd and 3rd in Division 2A at Rifle Park on Saturday afternoon.
The sides had already played twice this year and shared one win each so this was expected to be a tight affair between 2 sides chasing promotion.
However, it was the visitors UCC who claimed an impressive 20 point victory and will now play Blackrock, with a place in Division 1B the reward for the winners.
BANBRIDGE 21 UCC 41, Rifle Park
Scorers: Banbridge: Tries: Steve Irvine, Andrew Morrison 2; Cons: Adam Doherty 3
UCC: Tries: Chris McAuliffe, Kevin Slater, Paul Kiernan 2, Eddie Earl 2; Con: Tim Clifford 4; Pen: Tim Clifford
HT: Banbridge 21 UCC 22
BANBRIDGE: Adam Doherty; John Porter, Andrew Morrison, James Andrews, Miles O'Hagan; Robin Thompson, Josh Cromie; Stuart Cromie, Andrew Jackson, James McCrum, Chris Allen, Kallan Martin, Mike Bentley, Dale Carson, Stephen Irvine (capt).
Replacements: Paul Ross/Peter Cromie, Colin Bickerstaff/Ross Haughey, Robin Sinton, Andy Brown, Jason Gribben, Shandon Scott, Macauley Little.
UCC: Chris McAuliffe; Kevin O'Keeffe, Kevin Slater (capt), Paul Kiernan, James Kiernan; Tim Clifford, Charlie O'Regan; Charlie Slowey, Ben Burns, Rob O'Donovan, Ben Mitchell, Barra O'Byrne, Cathal Gallagher, Conor Barry, Eddie Earl.
Replacements: Shane O'Hanlon, Finion McDermott, Richard Moran, Cillian Ansbro, Gerry Ryan, Rob Slater, Daragh Dennehy.
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Ulster Bank League Round-Robin Qualifier:
Clonmel 12 Bangor 29
Bangor are back in the Ulster Bank League for the first time since 2002 after finishing top of the Provincial Qualifying League.
Bangor travelled south to Clonmel on Saturday, knowing that their fate lay in their own hands and a win would guarantee them at least a play-off spot. What unfolded was a superb victory that clinched top-spot and a place in Division 2C next season.
In Saturday’s other Provincial Qualifying League game Enniscorthy beat Westport 45-5 at Ross Road to finish runners-up in the Round-Robin series. Enniscorthy will now play Sligo (9th, Division 2C) in a relegation/promotion play-off.
This result caps off a tremendous year for Bangor, who have already collected the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup and the Powerade Towns Cup.