Ballynahinch travelled to Dublin for the third weekend in a row to face a struggling Barnhall side ravaged by injuries. The Blues are normally a tough encounter, especially at home, and they could have provided the preverbal banana skin for the Hinch who still needed at least 2 league points to ensure Division 2 rugby next season.

Conditions were not conducive to running rugby with a chilling wind gusting across the pitch accompanied with intermittent drizzle, it made handling the ball rather difficult. As a result the game became very scrappy with the Hinch playing up the slope towards the clubhouse in the first half.

The only scoring opportunity to score in the first half fell to the County Down men. Michael Graham had a storming run up the right wing in the 15th minute, which created space for Mark Scott to jink his way to within a metre of the Barnhall line.

Harry McAleese had a penalty attempt drift wide in the 30th minute and this was followed by a powerful run by Stuart Lamb in the 35th minute. The big Hinch number 8 burst through several tackles and was finally halted just short of the line. Despite a long period of pressure from the Hinch in the final minutes the first half ended scoreless.

Now playing down the slope the visitors looked a lot more convincing and they soon had Barnhall deep in their 22. There was a lot more urgency in the Hinch play and with 8 minutes gone hooker David McGreggor put in a tremendous tackle on the Barnhall number 8 Brian Hennebry and as the home defense struggled to secure the ball they handled in the ruck. McAleese stepped up to convert from in front of the posts.

Having put their noses in front the Hinch failed to capitalise and let Barnhall back into the game. The conditions began to bite and the sky darkened to add to the misery of a poor game. Finally in the last quarter, the Hinch began to take control once more. Mark Scott and David McGreggor combined well on the Barnhall 22, Scott making a break for the line only to be stopped by a great try saving tackle from the Barnhall winger Danny Martin.

Hinch finally secured their victory in the 70th minute, Aaron Ferris creating room down the right wing taking play deep into the Barnhall 22 where he drew the Barnhall fullback, took the tackle, and put Mark Scott clear to score in the corner. Harry McAleese added the conversion from the touchline taking the Hinch 10 points clear.

The Count Down men had the final say with the best play of the match. In the 75th minute quick ball was moved left and straight running from Jonny Cullen, then Stuart Morrow put skipper Stewart Megaw in at the line for an unconverted try.

Barnhall pushed hard for a try in the final minutes, but they never came close and the Hinch held on to win by 15 points.

The irony of the situation was all too apparent to the home club after the match. Two years ago the Hinch suffered relegation into Division 3 due to a Barnhall drop goal with the last kick of the game. This result on Saturday looks to have sealed Barnhall’s fate as their last two games are away to Harlequins and UCC, both are at the top of the league and are pushing for promotion into Division 1 so any points will be unlikely. This victory ensures Division 2 rugby at Ballymacarn Park next season and if Barnhall do go down we hope they will “do a Ballynahinch” and come straight back up, they are great club, they have great support and should the worst happen we would wish them every success in getting back in Division 2 next season.