At the start of this season coaches Derek Suffern, Dan Soper and Brian McLaughlin set promotion into Division 1 as the benchmark for success. Winning the First Trust Ulster Senior League, then the AIB Cup was certainly pointing to the fact that the team was moving in the right direction, but only a first or second spot at the end of the Division 2 campaign would be good enough to send the Hinch into the top flight of Irish club rugby. Ay 4.00pm on Saturday afternoon this goal was achieved as the Hinch ran in 8 tries to claim a bonus point victory and record a final tally 57 league points a single point ahead of rivals Lansdowne.

This was the 4th attempt to play this fixture against Highfield and the conditions at Ballymacarn Park on Saturday were in complete contrast to those of the 19th January when the game was abandoned at halftime due to the atrocious weather. This time it was bright sunshine with a breeze blowing from the clubhouse that greeted the teams, the Hinch playing towards Slieve Croob in the first half.

Ryan Bambry got the home side off to a great start converting a penalty goal in the 3rd minute for a 3-0 lead. Bambry’s boot kept the County Down men deep in the Highfield half and when the Munster side attempted to clear their line their kicks downfield were returned with interest by Jonny Cullen.

In the 9th minute Kyle Corrigan fielded a high ball on the right wing, stepping inside a couple of Highfield tackles he did well to take play to just outside the visitors 22 where quick ball was flashed wide to give U20 winger David Nicholson a chance to show his pace. The young blond haired flier didn’t disappoint and he raced clear to score the opening try, which Bambry converted for a 10-0 lead.

The next Hinch score came in the 18th minute, this time Willie Faloon did the hard work with a powerful run up the middle of the park setting up a great attacking position in front of the Highfield posts. Harry McAleese fired the ball left where the Hinch had a two man overlap, David Harris taking full advantage to dive over in the corner for an unconverted try.

The County Down men kept the tempo of the game at a high pace and within a couple of minutes a strong run form another young player Nevin Spence set up a ruck in front of the Cork men’s posts. The Hinch pack arrived and picked up, second row Gareth Rourke driving over for the 3rd Hinch try. Bambry added the extras to take the Hinch 22-0 clear.

Colin Mahony added a penalty goal of Highfield 2 minutes before halftime to leave his side trailing at the interval 22-3.

A Ryan Bambry penalty 2 minutes into the second half gave the Hinch a great start and when Highfield skipper Martin Gatley was yellow carded for stamping in the 48th minute the Hinch men made the most of their extra man. Opting for a 5-metre scrum the ball was moved right where winger Kyle Corrigan went over for the 4th and bonus point try. Bambry failed to convert leaving the Hinch 30-3 clear.

A 5th Hinch try came in the 58th minute following a great run by David Nicholson which created room down the left wing he off-loaded to Bambry in close

support, the Hinch out half sprinting in for the score just left of the posts. Bambry added the extra to take the Hinch tally to 37-3.

With the game all but won coach Derek Suffern brought on his replacements, Mattie Glenn, David McGreggor, Lewis Johnston, John Gunson and Niall McBriar. McGreggor was the first to strike in the 59th minute after a good exchange between Michael Graham and Robert Greer put Greer into space down the left wing. As Greer headed for the line he was tackled but did well to off-load to McGreggor in close support. Their was no stopping the young Monaghan man as he charged over for the 6th Hinch try in front of many from his home club who had travelled up for the big occasion.

After the restart the Hinch gathered and forced play deep into the Highfield 22 where their second row Aidan Burke was red carded for stamping. Now down to 14 men the final 20 minutes were going to be an uphill struggle for the visitors. In the 65th minute the County Down men struck again this time the impressive Nevin Spence went over in the left hand cover after quick ball was moved wide buy McAleese. Bambry missed the conversion, the Hinch now 49-3 in front.

Three minutes later David Nicholson crossed in the same corner and ran round behind the posts to dot down for his second try of the afternoon. Bambry added the extra to complete the scoring at 56-3 in favour of Ballynahinch.

A job well done form the coaching staff and players and they gathered under the posts for a rendition of “Shall we gather at the River” as the champagne corks popped and the contents of the bottles sprayed in a mass celebration.

But the season is not all over; on Tuesday night the Hinch will travel to the Dub to play Queens in the semi-final of the First Trust Ulster Senior Cup in what should be a cracker game. The students are a great side and like to run the ball and like the Hinch they also have a great cup tradition. Kick-off is at 7.00pm and if the Hinch should win this one the final will be played on Friday evening the 1st May at Ravenhill kick-off is at 7.30pm.

The Division 2 top 4 play-offs have already started with UCC defeating Old Crescent last weekend. The Hinch will now play Lansdowne on bank holiday Monday the 4th May at 2.30pm at Ballymacarn Park and should the Hinch win that one they will travel to Limerick on Saturday the 9th May for the Division 2 play-off final against UCC which will be played at Garryowen’s ground at Dooradoyle.

The Hinch U18’s are still in action playing the final of the Knutty Krust at Chambers Park in Portadown this Wednesday evening at 7.30pm. They are also in the U18 Ulster Cup Final at Ravenhill on Saturday 9th May kicking off at 3.00pm. Meanwhile the 2ndXV have one remaining league fixture, which could see them clinch the 2ndXV title. They play Instonians 2ndXV this Wednesday evening at Ballymacarn Park and victory in this encounter will secure the league title.