The Ulster Senior League got underway on Saturday with the Hinch travelling to the Dub in Belfast with only four regulars in their starting line-up.
The Hinch side made a poor start, Queens enjoying most of the possession and converting two penalty goals through the boot of David Kenny for an early 6-point lead. In the 21st minute Harry McAleese was yellow carded and during the next 10 minutes the students cut loose running in two tries, the first by winger Chris Colvin and the second by the other winger Robbie Stewart. Kenny converted one of the scores to give Queens a comfortable 18-0 lead.
With McAleese restored to the ranks the Hinch started to play the style of rugby they are suited to and with just two minutes of the first half remaining they kicked a penalty into the corner to set up a catch and drive. The throw from touch was secured and prop forward Chris Stevenson was driven over for the score which went unconverted.
From the restart the Hinch secured possession and play quickly found its way deep into the home 22 where another attacking lineout provided an opportunity to score. This time the ball was flashed wide where centre Robin Hart ran in for a try which was converted by McAleese to leave the Hinch trailing 18-12 at halftime.
When the second half got underway the Hinch continued to play to their strengths and kept control of the game. In the 55th minute Josh Donaldson crossed for a well-worked score which went unconverted to leave the Hinch just 1 point behind 18-17.
Now with their tails up the Hinch backs started to play with some confidence and after some interplay down the wing Niall McBriar crossed for the bonus point try in the 57th minute. McAleese failed to add the extras but the Hinch had now taken the lead for the first 18-22.
Queens fought back with a Kenny penalty goal in the 61st minute to close the gap to 21-22, but the Hinch sealed victory when fullback Greg Taylor raced over for their 5th try to complete the scoring 21-27 and get the league off to a bonus point start.
