It was a winner takes all contest at Ballymacarn Park as ‘Hinch led Malone on by three league points going into the game.
On a perfect evening for running rugby, it was the visitors from Belfast, playing towards the clubhouse, who opened the scoring with a penalty goal from Josh Pentland, giving them a 3-0 lead after nine minutes.
‘Hinch hit back with their first try four minutes later; they managed to build some sustained pressure until quick ball was moved to Neil Faloon who ran a great line to cross for a score under the posts. Harry McAleese added the extras taking ‘Hinch into a 7-3 lead.
Robert Greer was next to score for the home side. David Nicholson did all the hard work with a great attack down the left wing and with the Malone cover closing fast he put in a deft little cross-field chip with the outside of his boot. The ball bounced high and as Stuart Morrow challenged Jay Malcolm in the air, the ball fell to Greer to pounce on the loose ball behind the Malone posts. McAleese converted to take his side 14-3 clear.
‘Hinch flanker Paul Pritchard was yellow carded in the 29th minute for not releasing in the tackle and this provided Malone with a chance to respond. The Belfast side kicked into the corner and a neat lineout move created space for number 8 Neil Alcorn to go over for the try, converted by Pentland.
Two minutes before the interval, ‘Hinch scored their third try of the game courtesy of a well taken effort by Rodger McBurney after a great solo run from scrumhalf Aaron Cairns had opened the Malone defence. McAleese converted from the touchline to make it 21-10.
But visiting winger David Irvine had the final say in the first half when he made the most of an overlap to cross, keeping his team in touch going into the break.
Half time: Ballynahinch 21 - 15 Malone
Malone closed the gap to 21-18 with a Pentland penalty in the 48th minute, after ‘Hinch had McAleese yellow carded.
From the restart the home side immediately hit back. Now reduced to 14 men, the ‘Hinch pack took control with great forward drives from Jonny Madden, Chris Stevenson allowed Michael Graham to send Greer through for his second try in the 52nd minute to claim a bonus point. The conversion by Blane McIlroy was missed leaving ‘Hinch 26-18 in front.
Greer in particular was having a great game, and he claimed his hat-trick ten minutes later when he turned over the ball on halfway and burst clear for an impressive score. McAleese added the conversion to make it 33-18 to ‘Hinch.
The fighting spirit of Ballynahinch was highlighted in their final try of the evening. It came in 70th minute thanks to some great individual skill and determination from Cairns, who found a gap in the defence, pushed past a couple of defenders and battled to reach over the whitewash.
It was a fitting try to end a very successful season for the County Down men. The conversion from McAleese was wide leaving the final score 38-18 to ‘Hinch. They celebrated on the pitch in their usual style with a rendition of “Shall We Gather At The River.”
Match report by John Dickson