It was victory by a single point, but it was a victory that was every bit deserved. The previous weeks bitter disappointment at losing to Harlequins was all but a distant memory when the final whistle blew at Ballymacarn Park on Saturday.

Young Munster were unbeaten in the league this season and travelled north from Limerick confident of a first ever victory over the Hinch men. Conditions were almost perfect; the pitch had thawed from the overnight frost leaving the surface a little sticky. There was no wind to trouble the sides as the Hinch kicked off playing towards the clubhouse in the first half.

Young Munster had a well-drilled pack and they put the catch and drive from the lineout into operation at the first opportunity. The Hinch eight had to stand up to Munster men and take the game to them, just as they had done the previous Saturday against Quins, and once again they did not disappoint. Led by John Gunson, Lewis Johnston and Stuart Lamb the Hinch men began to gain the upper hand, providing a steady supply of good quality ball for the backs to use.

James McBriar was brought in at out half to replace David Harris, the young Saintfield man making only his second start in the AIB League. McBriar used the supply of ball well and set up a penalty chance for Mark Scott in the 9th minute. Scott’s kick failed to hit the target and an early chance to record points was missed.

Irish rugby legend Dr Jack Kyle was at the club on Saturday, Jack is an honorary member of Ballynahinch, and he must have been impressed with both the footwork and speed of the young Hinch outhalf in the 11th minute when he cut inside the Munsters defensive line and sped through a sea of amber and black jerseys. He then threw a lovely pass out wide where flanker Michael Graham was waiting, the big man showing a surprising turn of speed to race in and score in the right hand corner. Scott missed with the conversion to leave the Hinch leading 5-0.

Tommy Cregan reduced the deficit four minutes later with a well-struck penalty goal, a timely reminder for the Hinch men that their discipline must be of the highest order as Cregan’s boot could cost them dear. As both packs battled for control the Munster men set up a series of pick and drives, making good ground and keeping the Hinch defence on the back foot. In the 30th minute referee Declan Browne caused consternation amongst the Hinch support when he yellow carded loose head Chris Stevenson for playing the ball on the ground. It looked to be a harsh decision

as Stevenson had made the tackle, stayed on his feet, and had ripped the ball free from the Munster man on the ground, it was a strange on to say the least.

Now down to 14 men the Hinch gathered themselves and pushed play back into the Munsters half. In the 34th minute quick ball was moved wide where Chris Napier and then Jonny Cullen attacked the Munsters line, Cullen managed to off-load to Matt Miles at pace the Hinch hooker drove hard for the line and despite a last ditch tackle from the Munsters scrum half Tommy Cronin the Hinch man managed to reach for the line to score their second try. Scott failed to add the extras but despite being down to 14 men the home side had increased their lead to 10-3.

Cregan converted a second penalty goal for the Munster men in the 37th minute but this was countered by a Mark Scott penalty on the stroke of halftime to leave the Hinch men to turn round 13-6 in front.

The second half was a bruising affair with both packs slugging it out up front. Munsters had the most of the territorial advantage their half backs Tommy Cronin and Mark Connolly kicking the corners to great effect. The Hinch lineout and scrum stood up very well and as the afternoon wore on it became clear the Hinch side had dug in to defend their lead.

Cregan reduced the points gap further with his third penalty goal in the 51st minute but as the game drifted into the final 10 minutes the penalty count started to climb alarmingly in the Munster men’s favour. On one occasion the Limerick men opted to kick for the corner to set up a catch and drive but Mark Connolly’s kick when into touch and goal, a let off for the home side. Cregan had a long range penalty effort fall short in the 71st minute then he reduced the points gap to just one in the 78th minute to set up a nail biting final few minutes.

The Hinch men gathered themselves for one final effort and magnificently drove themselves from their own 22 deep into the Munsters 22. As the pressure began to build the Hinch men pressed for that vital score. Scott had a long range shot at goal in the 40th minute his effort falling short but when Munsters cleared their line time had run out and the County Down men had managed to hang on for a well earned and deserved victory.

The side are on the road during the next two weeks. Next Saturday they will travel to Wicklow hills of Kilternan to play De la Salle who are in 5th place. The following week it will be a short trip up to Gibson Park for the much-awaited clash against Malone.