Ballynahinch U-16 22 Portadown U-16 5
By Colin Donaldson
BALLYNAHINCH U-16s continued their strong start to the season with a hard fought victory over Portadown on Saturday.
A superb first half into the breeze set the tone and after a cagey opening, Callum McCargo got his team on the board after quick ball from scrum half Ethan Donaldson.
A Portadown yellow allowed Ballynahinch to pin their opponents back, with superb kicking from Joshua Woods and despite a scrappy lineout, the home side retained possession deep in Portadown territory.
Another penalty allowed Ballynahinch the opportunity to tap and go, with Charlie Adams taking a clever switch pass from Ryan McMullan to score. The conversion from Woods took the lead to 12 points.
They scored again before halftime after a big hit from Owen Hamill dislodged the ball into Ballynahinch hands. Two phases later Adams crossed for his second and a dominant seventeen point half time advantage.
With the wind at their backs, the U-16 side sensed a big score but superb Portadown defence held them out until Donaldson found a gap to score the fourth try.
The result was now secure but Portadown managed a consolation score with Ballynahinch running out comfortable winners despite leaving a few points on the field.
