Ballynahinch travelled to Dublin for the second time in two weeks to face De La Salle Palmerston in a rearranged AIB League fixture that kicked off at 1.45pm due the Ireland v Scotland match at Croke Park.

Playing in their away strip due to a clash of colours the County Down men opened the scoring in the 6th minute when Harry McAleese converted a penalty goal.

Stuart Lamb headed the Hinch fight back with some charging runs into the home defense and the pack drove Johnny Graham over the line from a try which went unconverted just before half time.

Hinch extended their lead in the 5th minute of the second half when Stuart Morrow burst clear on the blind side after a 5-metre scrum. McAleese failed to convert leaving the Hinch with a 5-13 led with 45 minutes played.

The Hinch continued to dominate during the third quarter but failed to add to the scoreboard.

As the home side began to sense the game was drifting away from them so they replaced a number of key players. The fresh legs soon paid off and in the 73rd minute second row Niall Smullen raced over of a vital score following great interplay between the home forwards and backs. Replacement out half David Elliott added the extras to take the Dubs to within a single point.

De La Salle now pressed for victory the referee awarding them a penalty in the final minute. Elliott stepped up and despite kicking into the stiff breeze he converted to claim victory in yet another game the Hinch men should have won.

This weekend the side are Dublin bound once again, this time Barnhall play host for what is sure to be a cracking match. The Dublin side badly need league point to keep them safe while the Hinch need to gain one more win to ensure Division 2 rugby next season.