With the last meeting between these two clubs in a cup competition finishing in controversial circumstances, it was hoped that this occasion would produce a memorable game for all the right reasons. In the main, that is how it turned out, with an undisputable win for the home side.

Bangor had made just two changes to their line-up – Mark Widdowson returning on the wing and Ross McCloskey coming in for Jason Morgan at out half. Despite the heavy rain prior to kick-off, the ground was in good shape, with the weather conditions much better than expected. The slight breeze was at Bangor’s backs as they got the game started.

Although Bangor started briskly, Hinch showed early signs of danger, winning a penalty in front of Bangor’s posts within the first 5 minutes, and taking the lead by 0-3. However, the first few scrums signalled Hinch’s Achilles Heel. Only for some quick heeling and good control at number 8, the Hinch scrum looked like it would be turned over on several occasions. By contrast, the Bangor scrum was solid and produced much better ball for the backs to attack with. This dominance soon produced a penalty for Bangor which Ross McCloskey kicked for touch, close to the Hinch goal line. From the lineout Bangor drove forward, but were held at bay by a solid defence. As Bangor produced another push, Mike Ferguson quickly passed to Jason Guthrie who then popped the ball to Mark Widdowson running in from the wing. Mark’s run split the defence and left them standing as he went through to score to the left of the posts. The conversion was successful, putting Bangor ahead by 7-3 after 17 minutes.

Just 6 minutes later, another penalty conceded by Hinch saw McCloskey put in another good kick to touch. In similar fashion to their previous score, Bangor secured the lineout and proceeded to drive for the Hinch line. This time the forwards completed the move with Oran McIlmurry getting the ball over which, with Widdowson’s successful kick, extended Bangor’s lead to 14-3.

Ballynahinch were still very much in the game and looked dangerous when breaking out of defence. This was well demonstrated when a turnover close to their own line saw them break down the left wing. Only some quick covering prevented the Hinch attack from going all the way. Bangor then took play back again with strong running through the centre by Mike Weir and Desi Fusco. This break was halted by a clumsy Hinch tackle which saw Fusco dangerously up-ended. The resulting penalty was successfully kicked by Widdowson, putting Bangor ahead by 17-3 as the first half drew to a close.

Hinch got the second half underway, now with the slight wind advantage. However, Bangor denied them any meaningful opportunities to use this and, in fact, enjoyed the upper hand in the opening exchanges. Ballynahinch’s frustration finally boiled over after 13 minutes when their out half received a red card for an off-the-ball incident. This penalty was further punished by Widdowson who successfully converted the kick.

With Hinch heads starting to drop, Bangor piled on the pressure and, just 2 minutes later, some excellent team play led to their next score. It all started with a determined run by Mike Weir on the right wing. Despite the attention of three Hinch tacklers, he managed to force through before off-loading to Davy Charles. A trademark jinking run saw Charles get deep into the Hinch twenty two before being brought down. However, the forwards provided the next phase of support. Solid rucking saw possession retained, before a powerful drive by Phil Whyte saw him force his way over for the try. Widdowson added the conversion putting Bangor safely ahead by 27-3.

Ballynahinch managed to regroup and for most of the next quarter of an hour not only stemmed the flow of Bangor points but also produced some attacks of their own. However, Bangor once again displayed their blistering counter-attacking capability when Fusco broke out of defence and then set Rob Gamble sprinting away. A well-timed pass to Widdowson outside him saw the winger use his pace and momentum to carry him over the line despite the attention of two Hinch defenders.

With the score now at 32-3, and with less than 10 minutes remaining, the result was no longer in doubt. Ballynahinch, were fortunate not to have a second player carded for another unnecessary off-the-ball offence on McCloskey, who seemed to be a particular target throughout the game, however this incident was missed by the otherwise attentive referee. Then a succession of injuries resulted in the scrums having to be uncontested which, although obviously missing some big forwards, probably suited the Hinch pack as their scrums could now be properly controlled. This, combined with a lapse of tackling commitment by Bangor, allowed the visitors to move quickly into Bangor’s twenty two, and exploit a gap in the defence to score in the right hand corner. This proved to be a consolation try, bringing the final score to 32-8 and booking a semi-final place for Bangor in the process.

In an uncanny twist in the fixtures, these two sides meet again next Saturday, this time in the Conference League. This should be a good opportunity for the coaching staff to experiment with selections before facing Leinster side Monkstown in the quarter final of the All Ireland Junior Cup the following week.

Bangor team: O McIlmurry, A Jackson, P Whyte, M Ferguson, D Kelly, G Burton, J Clegg (c), D Bradford, J Guthrie, R McCloskey, M Widdowson, M Weir, D Fusco, D Charles, A McCusker

Subs: P Dornan, R Gamble

Bangor scorers: M Widdowson (2T, 3C, 2P), O McIlmurry (1T), P Whyte (1T)