Omagh started well, with several pick and goes by the pack leading to the opening try by hooker Mark Hopton-Brown inside the first few minutes. The conversion from wide out was missed.
In the next ten minutes the game was a bit disjointed as both sides forced several penalties at the break down. Omagh half backs Stuart Ballentine and Stewart Robinson were beginning to edge the kicking battle, giving them more of the territory.
A fine break by ‘Hinch centre Jamie Aiken saw him get to within 10 metres of the whitewash and desperate defending at the resulting maul saw a penalty awarded for offside. Fullback Joseph Bingham converted to cut the advantage to 5-3.
The error count and turnovers kept play in the middle third as neither team could take control of proceedings. Eventually, ‘Hinch stole a lineout in opposition territory and the ball was moved impressively to left wing Isaac Gibson who scored in the corner. The difficult conversion was narrowly missed by Bingham but his aide had gained a narrow 8-5 lead.
On the half hour mark, after several minutes of pressure, Patrick O’Neill knocked over a penalty to draw level. The scoreline remained at 8-8 until halftime.
There were plenty of errors in the opening period of the second half and the spectators had to wait until 20 minutes after the break for the next score. A great take in the lineout by second row Samuel Hamilton set the platform for a superb driving maul, which enabled Hopton-Brown to get his second touchdown. O’Neill kicked a superb conversion from wide out on the left.
Omagh had begun to take charge and props Aaron Hetherington and Michael Mc Colgan were helping get an edge at scrum time.
But Ballynahinch sides do not give up and the introduction of lively winger Leo Cassidy combined with a desire to move the ball about despite the conditions, saw ‘Hinch regain the initiative in the closing stages.
One great bit of play from their backs put Gibson away only for him to be halted in the 22 by what the ref deemed a high tackle, with the defender sent to the bin for the offence.
In a final flourish of ambitious back play, ‘Hinch centre Aiken made good ground before feeding fullback Bingham who scored half way out to the right of the posts. He then struck a fine conversion to tie the game at 15-15.
Despite the obvious excitement of the ‘Hinch players, the ref blew the final whistle to cheers from those Omagh players and officials who realised that they would go through as they had scored the first try of the game.
Both sides deserve great credit for trying to play rugby and serving up an exciting encounter in atrocious conditions.
Man of the match was awarded to Omagh scrumhalf Stewart Robinson who passed and kicked accurately and managed the game well. Ian Wray, Portadown RFC Senior Vice President, presented him with his commemoration ball.