The County Down boys turned up at the fully revamped “Big Green Acre” determined to make up for the disappointment of the 2nds' not making the Powerade Towns Cup showpiece the day before. This was the Hinch club's third Ravenhill final this season; the 1sts having lost to Queen's in the Senior Cup and the 2nds victorious in the Junior Cup.
The Hinch played towards the Memorial end in the first half in near perfect conditions. From the start Robbie Irvine used his boot well to pin Queens deep in their 22 where they conceded a lineout in the 3rd minute. The ball from touch was secured and Chris Stevenson was driven over but was held up over the line. Queens had deliberately collapsed the maul so referee Robbie Watson awarded Hinch the penalty. Irvine dispatched the ball into the corner to set up another catch and drive and this time Joshua Donaldson was on the end of the driving maul to claim a well-worked score. Robbie Irvine converting from the touchline to put Hinch 7-0 ahead.
The student’s tactics were very clear as they moved the ball wide men at every occasion and quickly closed the spaces down in their defencive blitz became. As a result the game became a bit sloppy with a lot of Hinch errors creeping in, as their pack knew they needed to keep the ball away from the younger students. The only real excitement came in the 20th minute when John Gunson made a good charge up the field, with Conor Phillips also involved in the move, but the chance ended with a knock-on.
Queen’s put points on the scoreboard in the 34th minute when out half Connor Wright kicked a penalty from in front of the posts to make it 3-7.
Hinch went close five minutes from half time. It came off a move from the back of a scrum with Niall McBriar taking a great line and making good ground but Hinch were penalised when he failed to release the ball.
Queen's kicked the penalty to touch and from an over-throw Joshua Donaldson won turnover ball and John Gunson charged up the field. The ball was moved left and great work from outhalf Robbie Irvine saw him skip past a number of Queen’s tackles into space and he put on the after-burners to race over for a try. Irvine converted and Hinch led 3-14.
The Hinch had a great finish to the half. From their 10-metre line, Niall McBriar ran a great line the ball to burst clear moving play right where Johnny Murdock made good ground up the right wing. He fed inside to Mark McCormick who rode a tackle and passed to Niall McBriar who finished the moves he started diving in behind the posts to score. Irvine converted and Hinch went in at the break 3-21 in front.
Five minutes into the second half Chris Stevenson looked to have added another try but after the referee consulted with the touch judge it was ruled as a knock-on and brought back for a Queen’s scrum.
The Hinch didn’t have to wait long for their next five-pointer as winger Chris Orr went over in the left corner after a series of pick and drives. Irvine was unsuccessful with the conversion attempt. 3-26
Hinch added two more tries in quick succession. In the 58th minute Chris Orr scored his second try after a great wide ball from Irvine created the space for Orr to race clear then Andrew Harper touched down after smashing his way through from the 22. Irvine converted both to take Hinch 3-40 clear.
Queen’s got a consolation try from centre Finn Stoneman with Chris Bartolo converting but the day belonged to Hinch and they wrapped it up with a penalty try. A loose ball on the right wing was hacked forward with Mark McCormick and Johnny Murdock giving chase. Murdock looked to have got the touchdown but was pushed going over the line and the penalty try was awarded by Robbie Watson. Irvine’s kicking was a formality and he sent the ball between the posts to complete an emphatic victory 10-47.
This was Hinch’s 7th Crawford Cup triumph having also won the trophy in 1989, 1996, 2003, 2006, 2008 and 2013.
Ballynahinch 15 Jonathan Murdock 14 Christopher Orr 13 Johnny Coen 12 Niall McBriar 11 Mark McCormick 10 Robert Irvine 9 Matthew Glenn 8 John Gunson 7 Mathew McDowell 6 Joshua Donaldson 5 Ryan Lusk 4 Chris Stevenson 3 Aaron Samuels 2 Connor Philips 1 Andy Glenn.