The Hinch made a number of changes for this Ulster Senior League fixture against the students from Queens University at the Dub in Belfast. Fergal Lynch started in the front row replacing Paddy McAllister who had been on Ulster Ravens duty in Navan on Thursday night. James Simpson replaced Robert Greer in the second row and David Gilkinson came into the back row at blindside, Michael Graham moving to number 8 for the unavailable Stuart Lamb.

David Nicholson partnered Jonny Cullen in the midfield, Michael Kirkwood played on the wing and Greg Taylor came in at fullback. Despite the heavy rain the night before, the Dub pitch was in reasonable shape and the large crowd were undoubtedly looking forward to an entertaining affair as both teams are renowned for throwing the ball around.

Allas the crowd were to be disappointed, this was a turgid affair from start to finish. The first scoring opportunity came in the 10th minute when Jonny Cullen charged down a Queens kick on their 22. Davy McGreggor did well to collect the loose ball and counter attack, but the final pass to Michael Kirkwood went to ground with the Hinch carrying a clear overlap.

The Hinch opened the scoring in the 19th minute when Queens were caught with their hands in a ruck in front of their posts. Ryan Bambry stepped up to convert to give the visitors a 0-3 lead.

Bambry increased the Hinch lead to 6 points when the students were again caught with their hands in a ruck 30 metres out in the 24th minute. Two minutes later Queens had their first opportunity to score when David McGreggor was penalised for not rolling away after the tackle, but David McIlwaine pushed his kick wide of the mark.

Queens finally got off the mark in the 30th minute when McIlwaine was successful with a second attempt from 35 metres, after the Hinch were caught with their hands in a ruck.

It was a scrappy error strewn affair, but the Hinch did manage a bit of magic in the 38th minute when David Nicholson nipped through a gap to create room for Jonny Cullen to race over for a try. Bambry failed to convert to leave the Hinch leading at halftime 3-11.

The second half was very scrappy and no further score added to the tally, with the game being mainly played between the 22’s.

James McCall made life a bit more interesting for the Hinch men when he was yellow carded in the 51st minute, but the 14 man Hinch side managed to keep any Queen’s attacks at bay. In the 70th minute a much more rotund version of Aaron Ferris returned to 1stXV duty when he replaced Kyle Corrigan on the wing. Ferris had broken his wrist in an AIB League fixture earlier in the season.

Toby Mannus and Lewis Johnston replaced David McGreggor and Fergal Lynch in the 75th minute as the game stuttered to a welcome conclusion, Jonny Cullen’s timely interception in the final minutes putting any chance of a Queens fight back beyond reach.

Next week the stakes are much higher. Dungannon will visit Ballymacarn Park for what is undoubtedly the biggest game of the season. The Tyrone men are 3 points above the Hinch in the league in what has become a 4-way relegation battle between Buccaneers, Ballynahinch, Dungannon and Ballymena, although the Braid men look to be a lot safer than the other 3.

This is a winner takes all game this Saturday, it is a MUST WIN game for the Hinch men if they aim is to stay in Division 1 next season. A big home support is called for to help lift the boys in this vital fixture, the kick off is at 2.30pm, and with the France v Ireland game on live in the clubhouse at 4.30pm Ballymacarn Park is sure the place to be this Saturday afternoon.