It was Hinch that controlled the early stages and they enjoyed a number of forays into opposition territory, one of which provided a penalty opportunity which was knocked over the posts by Robert Irvine.
Omagh then scored the game’s opening try when good pressure saw centre Lloyd Kane capitalise on a charged down kick to dive over. Neil Mellon pushed his conversion attempt to the right of the uprights but his team held a 5-3 lead. Mellon then traded penalties with Irvine to bring the score to 8-6 after 15 minutes.
Omagh’s midfield grew into the game and the combination of Kane, Neill McClaine and Matty Eccles were causing all sorts of problems for the ‘Hinch defence. Indeed, all three were involved in the second try of the game as McClaine fed Kane, who carried play into the 22, then quick hands by the backline allowed Eccles to play the scoring pass to Mellon. The fullback was unable to add the extras but the lead was extended to 13-6.
It was all Omagh at this point and a solid scrum set the platform for a number of forward drives, before second row Jamie Sproule was on hand to stretch over for his team’s third score. Mellon was again off target with his conversion attempt as the half time whistle sounded.
Half time: Omagh 2nds 18 Ballynahinch 3rds 6
It took just four minutes after the break for Omagh to register their fourth try as Kane intercepted a loose pass on the half way line and outpaced the covering defence to touch down under the posts. Mellon made no mistake from the tee, stretching the lead to 25-6.
The repost from ‘Hinch was almost immediate, with fullback Jonathan Murdock producing a wonderful individual try, picking the ball up in his own half and jinking past five or six defenders before dotting down in the left hand corner. Irvine was unable to convert from a difficult angle. The scoring continued aplenty as Mellon and Irvine again swapped penalties, bringing the score to 28-14 after 55 minutes.
Omagh again raised their game and completely dominated the final quarter, scoring four well-taken tries in the process. The first came from Mellon, who darted in from close range following good work by Kane. Replacement Richard Elkin made an immediate impact as he took advantage of good handling by his inside backs to cross the whitewash. Stephen McClaine then collected a neat grubber from Eccles to run in unopposed under the posts, before the latter pounced on a loose ball to run in from 70 metres in the last play of the game. Mellon and Adam Beattie kicked late conversions for a full time score of 52-14.
Omagh 2nds (15-9): Neil Mellon; Andrew McFarland, Matty Eccles, Lloyd Kane, Stephen McClaine; Neill McClaine, Adam Beattie; (1-8): Kyle Alexander(captain), Simon Monteith, Peter Todd, Jamie Sproule, James Catterson, Dean Porter, Stewart Allen, Stuart Lyons; Replacements: Lee Pollock, Aaron Short, Richard Elkin.
Ballynahinch 3rds (15-9): Jonathan Murdock; Mark McCormick, Jordan Graham, Patrick Wright, Ryan Smyth; Robert Irvine, Ben McMullan; (1-8): Alistair Gordan, David Steele, Andrew Glenn, John Gunson, Ryan Lusk, James Tougher, Philip Orr, Philip Browne; Replacements: Adam Kelly, Johnny Turner, Rory Martin.