In heavy conditions at The Dub the Queens proved to be more than a match for a Hinch side that despite missing a number of key players, never made any impact against a well-drilled Student outfit. A chilling wind blew down the pitch from Cave Hill adding a real bite to the last outing for both sides in 2007.

The County Down men started with real purpose their pack setting up a strong platform to move quick ball along the backs. In the 7th minute the pressure told on the Students line, when following a sustained build up by the Hinch forwards Stuart Morrow picked up and drove over to score under the posts from close range. Harry McAleese added the conversion taking the Hinch into an early 7-point lead.

This score seemed to kick-start the Queens pack into action and the young students began to gain the upper hand at the breakdown. Their counter rucking was much superior as was their fitness as the heavy ground started to take its toll and the Hinch 8 began to slow. Queens struck back in the 14th minute, scrum half Ian Porter putting in a cleaver cross-field kick into the right hand corner where the Hinch had not a single player covering. As the ball rolled towards the Hinch line Queens winger David Colvin beat Niall McBriar to the ball, kicking it over the whitewash and making the touchdown. Porter added the extra points from the touchline to bring the scores level at 7 points apiece.

The impressive Porter added two penalty goals in the 17th and 23rd minutes to increase the Queens tally to 13 points. Play had now turned in favour of the students their all round skill levels left the Hinch men in their wake and in the 31st minute they struck again. This time quick ball was moved left, a long pass from Porter giving centre Ian Whitten time to spot a gap in the Hinch drift defence and the Queens man sliced through to score beside the posts. Porter added the extra points to take his side 20-7 clear.

In the final seconds of the first half the Hinch men did manage a good attack but winger Tommy Seymour

was knocked into touch before he could ground the ball and the Hinch turned round at the interval 20-7 adrift.

Harry McAleese reduced the gap to 10 points when he converted a penalty goal in the 45th minute. As the game progressed the visitors probed for gaps in the Queens blitz defence only to be frustrated by poor handling and ball retention. Play became very disjointed with neither side gaining much advantage but it has to be said that Queens looked a lot more capable of scoring when quick ball was made available.

The outcome of this contest was sealed in the 72nd minute. Hinch dropped the ball on their 10 metre line and Queens hacked it on, the Hinch fullback Jonny Cullen seemed to have the danger covered but as his opposite number Michael Barker arrived at the line Cullen fumbled the ball and Barker secured the touchdown. Porter missed the conversion leaving his side with a convincing 25-10 lead with 8 minutes to play.

The only positive aspect to this game was that the Hinch men kept playing right to the end, Harry McAleese grabbing a consolation try in the 78th minute after a series of 5 metre scrums had set up a good attacking position on the Queens line. Replacement scrum half Mattie Glenn picked up an created enough room to put McAleese in at left hand corner for and unconverted try too leave the final score Queens 25 Ballynahinch 15.

Not the result the County Down were after as they build for the big AIB League clash against Harlequins this weekend. A number of key players were missing from the line-up but Queens deserved their victory on the day, it is great to see that the Students have a very competitive side again and they will in no doubt pose a real threat to any side in the years ahead.