Ballynahinch continued their unbeaten season by marching into the final of the Junior Cup with a brilliant display against a strong Instonians side featuring a number of players with significant recent AIL experience.

Coach Davy Harris was missing a few regulars through unavailability and AIL call-ups but was able field a strong pack including skipper Kelvin Hamilton, Harry McCormick, Kyle Gill and Tom Martin. A reshuffled backline saw Harry McKeown move to centre in the absence of Quinn Armstrong with Matthew Sweetlove taking over at outhalf and what the three quarter line lacked in bulk they made up for in pace and determinaton.

Ballynahinch took an early lead with Joe Charles scoring from close range and moved ten points ahead at the break with a Sweetlove penalty. He continued to punish Instonian indiscipline with another two well struck penalties in the second half to stretch the lead to sixteen points before a superb defensive stand culminated in a long range Simon Jackson intercept try to put the result beyond doubt.

Instonians got themselves on the scoreboard as the game entered the final stages but Ballynahinch were not to be denied and had the last word with a penalty try from a deliberate knock on. They showed exceptional hunger in defence all afternoon until their opponents eventually ran out of ideas and will look forward to the challenge of junior kingpins Ennniskillen in the final on 27th December at Affidea Stadium.

Ballynahinch were without several regulars and shipped a heavy home defeat to Queens in the Womens Premiership.

There were excellent victories for the 3rds and 4ths on Saturday against Omagh and Lisburn respectively.