Hinch RFC have retained the Stevenson Shield for the third year in a row
Ulster Premiership Final,
Ballynahinch 38 City of Armagh 17,
James Kirk reports.
Despite an extensive injury list and the absence of head coach Adam Craig, Ballynahinch turned up the power in the second half to emerge as convincing winners of the Ulster Premiership.
They ensure that the Stevenson Shield remains in the Ballymacarn trophy cabinet for the third successive season.
Kyle McCall made his first start of the season in the front row and Jack Milligan returned from injury at outhalf but a late reshuffle was necessary in the backs when Mark Best pulled out on the morning of the match with a neck problem.
Cameron Patterson stepped up for his first start alongside Matthew Booth.
Armagh started well and had the better of the early exchanges, taking the lead at the half hour mark with a penalty try which also saw Patterson receive a yellow card.
However the momentum of the match turned decisively in the final moments of the half when the home side scored an excellent try through in form scrum-half Arthur Johnston and then went ahead via the boot of Conor Rankin on the stroke of halftime.
After soaking up some Armagh pressure early in the second half, Ballynahinch went further ahead with a rare Tommy Donnan try and although Armagh closed the gap with a penalty.
It was a superb chip and chase from fullback Rankin putting his side fourteen points clear entering the final quarter.
Further scores from Claytan Milligan and Johnston sealed victory despite a consolation score from Armagh’s Andrew Willis.
Rankin finished with a personal total of eighteen points and his form with the boot has eased concerns over the loss of Greg Hutley to a pro contract in France.
Assistant coach John Gunson was delighted with the win and it was great to see stalwarts like Scott Connolly and Conor Piper get some game time off the bench as well as a fine cameo from replacement outhalf Dominic Clapcott on his debut.
The strength in depth at Ballymacan Park was put to the test given the injuries and unavailability and the club came through with flying colours to retain the Stevenson Shield.
Bigger battles lie ahead starting with the Bateman Cup semi-final at home to Young Munster on the 30th September but those were forgotten amongst the trophy winning celebrations on Saturday.
Ballynahinch 1-20:
John Dickson, Claytan Milligan, Kyle Mcall, Tommy Donnan, Declan Horrox, Callum Irvine, Zack McCall, Bradley Luney, Arthur Johnston, Jack Milligan, Stephen MacAuley, Cameron Patterson, Matthew Booth, Aaron Cairns, Conor Rankin, Conor Piper, Scott Connolly, Kyle Gill, Paul Kerr, Dominic Clapcott.
Club Notes
Ballynahinch Women earned their first victory of the season with an excellent 5 try display at home to Omagh in wet conditions.
They travel to Belfast Harlequins in two weeks for another winnable fixture as they seek to establish themselves in the Women’s Premiership after gaining promotion last season.
Wins for the seconds, thirds and fifths made it a clean sweep for the senior sides on an excellent weekend for the club.
The seconds had a bonus point victory at derby rivals Banbridge while the thirds kicked off their league campaign with a similar result at Grosvenor.
The fifths had far too much know-how for Instonians fourths as they eased to a five try victory at Ballymacarn Park.
Selector Walter Lyons and his team captains deserve huge credit for these results given the list of injured and unavailable players.
The youth section opened their season with the boys taking on Ballymena in a friendly at Eaton Park.
A combined Ballynahinch/Cooke side took the field at U18 level and played well in defeat. The U16s also lost but the U14s had a superb victory. There is plenty to build on in the lead up to the League campaign starting on 7th October.
Pre-match lunches are back. To book a place for the Bateman Cup semi-final on September 30th contact James Shaw on 07740308051
Youth Training continues on Mondays at 7pm for boys and Wednesdays at 7pm for girls.
All players U12/U14/U16/U18 welcome and no experience necessary. Contact Clifton Quinn for details on 07501228045.
Mini rugby continues on Saturday mornings from 9.30-11am. Boys and girls from P1 – Yr8 are all welcome, with training run for each age group in their school year. Mini rugby news is posted weekly on the club Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/ballynahinchrfcofficial.
For more details, contact David Martin, Mini Convenor on 07837944892 or email: hinchminis@gmail.com.
Results 16/09/2023
Ballynahinch 38 City of Armagh 17 (Ulster Premiership)
Ballynahinch Women 31 Omagh Women 0 (Womens Premiership)
Banbridge 2 10 Ballynahinch 2 28 (2nd XV League)
Grosvenor 2 10 Ballynahinch 3 26 (Provincial Prem 1)
Ballynahinch 5 34 Instonians 4 19 (Regional South 1)
Fixtures 23/09/2023
Queens 2 vs Ballynahinch 2 (2nd XV League)
Ballynahinch 3 vs Carrick 2(Provincial Prem 1)
Ballynahinch 4 vs Instonians 3 (Regional East 1)
Ballynahinch Youth Boys vs Carrick Youth Boys (Friendly)
