Ballynahinch’s flying fourths defeat rivals to win Forster Cup

24 April 2024

BALLYNAHINCH fourth XV went into Saturday’s Forster Cup final at a sun-drenched Kingspan Stadium as a confident and well-prepared side after securing the league title a few weeks prior and trained well together in the weeks leading up.

After a long wait while watching the disappointment of their club’s fifth XV being edged out by a strong Ballymena fourth XV, ‘Hinch took to the big green acre determined to make sure the club would come home with at least one trophy to celebrate.

Justin Rea kicked off to a young and hungry Ballymena team, which took the ball and wasted no time showing the pace and power they had at their disposal, running the ball back a good 50 metres before the tackle was made.

This set the tone for the opening phase of the match with Ballymena making all the running and ‘Hinch struggling to get their hands on the ball.

Ballymena were first to trouble the score keeper with a well taken try after some lax ‘Hinch defence allowing them to take a 5-0 lead after the conversion was missed.

The men from up north threatened to score again shortly after but thanks to some desperate ‘Hinch defending they were denied.

After this period of pressure the ‘Hinch machine finally sparked into life with Justin Rea, using his classy boot, allowing his team to play in the right areas with their heavier more experience pack putting pressure on the Ballymena set piece.

There was also aggressive ball carrying from lock Aaron Samuels and Michael Davidson allowed the backs to have a bit more room to play.

Justin Rea put ‘Hinch on the board with a well-taken penalty followed by a try in the corner for himself after some great ‘Hinch handling and a show of strength to get the ball down with three defenders bearing down on him.

Rea converted his own try with a peach of a kick from the touchline, putting ‘Hinch 10-5 up.

‘Hinch then put themselves under more pressure with a number of breakdown penalties conceded leading to a yellow card for captain Michael Evans for repeated infringements.

Thankfully, Ballynahinch were able to get through this period of pressure with a strong defence and the boot of Justin Rea keeping the Ballymena men pinned back.

Rea then added another penalty, followed by another lovely team try starting with a throw into the line-out from stand-in hooker Maguire before a tight maul set up and then slick hands from the backline.

This allowed full-back Mike Carson to come steaming onto the ball and take two defenders over the line with him to score.

Half-time: Ballynahinch 20 Ballymena 5.

Having perhaps taken the foot off the gas at the start of the second half, ‘Hinch had to face up to some adversity with club stalwart Michael Davidson making a ferocious hit on his own line which, unfortunately for Ballynahinch, the ref and linesman adjudged to be too high giving him a straight red and ensuring the game was far from over.

Mena pounced on this opportunity and score two quick-fire converted tries to leave the ‘Hinch men and support reeling having seen their team’s lead cut to a single point.

‘Hinch emptied the bench at this stage as fresh legs were required and workhorse Stuart Hodges came on and made a difference with his abrasive playing style.

Ballymena’s tails were up as they could smell an opportunity, but flanker Elliot Evans decided today was not to be their day as he took the extra work load of being a man down and showed the work rate of two players to make tackle after tackle to leave Ballymena running out of ideas and nowhere to go.

Then came the moment that the ‘Hinch support were praying for.

Star man Chris Orr, who had already had a stellar afternoon with ball in hand, received the ball from a loose Ballymena clearance kick and decided this was the moment to win the game.

Orr took on the on-rushing Ballymena defence, dancing and powering his way through at least five attempted tackles to sprint in under the post, igniting scenes of pandemonium in the stands.

Rea added the conversion and another penalty taking the score to 30-19 and some gutsy defending in the last ten minutes saw captain Evans and sub lock Hodges twice holding Ballymena up over the line.

This allowed ‘Hinch to take the win after what many supporters described as the most enjoyable game to watch of the season and top off a stellar season for Evans’ men.

Ballynahinch: Mike Carson, Chris Bishop, Fraser Bowsie, James Gillespie, Chris Orr, Justin Rea, Jonny Orr, Chris Hughes, Mike Evans (capt), David Maguire, Aaron Samuel, Matthew Adams, Philip Broome, Elliott Evans, Michael Davidson.

Subs: Nathan Jones, Stuart Hodges, Jay Kinnear.

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