Ballynahinch moved back up to fourth spot in AIL 1B following this win against Malone at Ballymacarn Park on a wet and windy Saturday afternoon. 

This was another game heavily influenced by the prevailing weather conditions. 

Hinch did all their scoring in the first half as Ross Adair continued his try per game since debuting for Hinch 2nd XV in the Junior Cup.  Johnny McPhillips took over kicking duties and added two first half penalties to give Hinch an 11 – 0 lead at the break. 

In an attritional game Malone replied with a penalty try in the second half – the fourth penalty try of the afternoon in games involving Ulster sides in this league.

Hinch, however, managed to close out the game much to the delight of the home crowd. The two sides go into the Christmas break level on points with Malone in third place on points difference. 

BALLYNAHINCH: Peter Nelson; Iwan Hughes, Ross Adair, Robin Harte, Aaron Cairns (capt); Ryan Wilson, Rhys O’Donnell; Kyle McCall, Claytan Milligan, Tommy O’Hagan, John Donnan, Campbell Classon, Keith Dickson, Ollie Loughead, Conall Boomer. Replacements: Conor Piper, Jonny Blair, Thomas Donnan, Johnny McPhillips, Connor Phillips.

MALONE: Rory Campbell; Ben McCaughey, Josh Pentland (capt), Neil Alcorn, David McMaster; Callum Smith, Shane Kelly; Peter Cooper, Adam McBurney, Ross Kane, Matthew Dalton, Jonathan Davis, Michael Shiels, Dave Cave, Joe Dunleavy. Replacements: Dan Kerr, Ricky Greenwood, Josh Davidson, Connor Spence, Gareth Millar.

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Picture credit Richard Owens