The contest began with immense physicality as both packs looked to establish dominance. Hinch skipper, Claytan Milligan set the tone early with a massive hit, but Instonians were quick to find their rhythm, with Ian Whitten and Mark Keane providing a solid defensive screen.
It was Instonians who struck first in the 9th minute. Capitalising on a gap in the Hinch line, Bradley McNamara hurled himself across the whitewash for the opening try. Josh Eagleson added the conversion to give the challengers a 7-0 lead.
However, the defending champions responded almost immediately. Following a series of well-worked carries that tested the Instonians' defence, James Humphreys crashed over the line to get Hinch on the board. Though the conversion was missed, the momentum began to shift.
The remainder of the half was a tactical tug-of-war. Aaron Sexton looked dangerous on the wing, nearly scoring after an interception, while Instonians’ Mark Mairs proved vital in the air, disrupting the Hinch kicking game. Just before the break, Hinch found the breakthrough they needed. Sexton ignited the move with a blistering run up the wing before popping the ball back inside to Matthew Booth, who navigated the defence to score. Hinch headed into the sheds with a narrow 10-7 lead.
HT: Instonians 7 – 10 Ballynahinch
The second half began with a display of individual brilliance and defensive discipline. Marcus Rea was instrumental at the breakdown, forcing a penalty in the 46th minute which Conor Rankin calmly converted to extend the lead. Rankin was on hand again ten minutes later, slotting another penalty after Hinch’s scrum dominated a crucial set-piece.
Instonians refused to go quietly. After a period of expansive play involving Whitten and Keane, winger Hugo Ellerby found space to score in the 65th minute. Eagleson’s conversion brought the score to 14-16, setting up a grandstand finish.
Ballynahinch came agonizingly close to putting the game out of reach when Pierce Crowe made a superb break, only to be denied by a heroic three-man tackle that held the ball up over the line. As the clock ticked into the final minute, the pressure eventually told. Instonians conceded a penalty in their own half, and Rankin stepped up to slot his third kick of the day, sealing the victory and ensuring the Senior Cup returns to Ballynahinch for another year.
Teams
Instonians
1 Anton Lupari, 2 Oli Clark, 3 Liam Kaprigiannis, 4 Mark Mairs, 5 Ali Burke, 6 Mark Lee, 7 Paul Pritchard, 8 David Whitten (C), 9 Ruairi O'Farrell, 10 Josh Eagleson, 11 Craig Gilroy, 12 Ian Whitten, 13 Mark Keane, 14 Hugo Ellerby, 15 Bradley McNamara
Replacements
16 Neil Saulters, 17 Terry Coombs, 17 Matthew Neill, 18 Marty Voster, 19 Simon McMaster, 20 Robert Whitten
Ballynahinch
1 John Dickson, 2 Claytan Milligan (C), 3 Joseph Mawhinney, 4 Rayan Connolly, 5 Bradley Luney, 6 Zack McCall, 7 Marcus Rea, 8 Sam Warwick, 9 Chris Gibson, 10 James Humphreys, 11 Aaron Sexton, 12 Paul Kerr, 13 Matthew Booth, 14 Conor Rankin, 15 Ethan McIlroy
Replacements
16 Josh Hanlon, 17 Matthew Burke, 18 Joe Charles, 19 Declan Horrox, 20 Peter Heasley, 21 Ruairi Meharg, 23 Pierce Crowe
Scorers
Instonians
Tries: McNamara, Ellerby Cons: Eagleson (2)
Ballynahinch
Tries: Humphreys, Booth Pens: Rankin (3)