INSTONIANS RFC I XV 21 BANBRIDGE RFC I XV 15 Ulster Senior League
Banbridge coach Daniel Soper is unlikely to be pressing the panic button just yet, but he will have been disappointed to have lost this second Ulster Senior League game of the new season.
Instonians play their All-Ireland rugby in Division 2B and so Bann might reasonably have expected to come out on top. Those pre-match expectations would have been reinforced by Shandon Scott’s 9th minute try, the out-half shimmying over the home line after a sustained assault in which flanker Ryan Patterson and scrum-half Aaron Kennedy played prominent roles.
Scott’s attempted conversion went wide and five minutes later his opposite number, Gareth Lawlor, slotted over a 30 metre penalty to reduce the arrears to two points. But that opportunity arose from what was to prove a rare excursion into Bann territory as the visitors proceeded to dominate most of the remainder of the first half exchanges.
That they didn’t add to their points tally can be attributed in part to some resilient Instonians defence and a ball made difficult to handle by the wet conditions. But clear scoring chances were created and duly wasted and ultimately that was to prove costly.
Nine minutes into the second half Andrew Kirkwood’s exquisitely delayed pass put Chris Allen in for Bann’s second try, after Patterson had again punched a hole in the home defence. Scott’s conversion attempt found the mark and Bann were now nine points clear and looking set for success.
Lawlor struck over a second penalty on 52 minutes to keep his side in touch as Bann were forced to re-shuffle their ranks, Stephen Irvine and Gregg Taylor joining Jonny Graham on the sidelines after all three picked up minor knocks.
Twelve minutes from the end a resurgent Instonians capitalised on good field position to put Lawlor in for a try close to the posts. The out-half’s conversion edged his side in front but Instonians infringed at the re-start and Scott converted from 35 metres to re-claim the lead.
With five minutes remaining Inst launched another attack and the Bann defence again cracked to let full-back Richard Fegan in for a try in the corner. The conversion was missed but when Bann were penalised for holding after the tackle while attempting to build a counter-attack from inside their “22”, Lawlor kicked his third penalty for a six point advantage they held until the final whistle.
A Close Encounter for the 5’s Bann 5XV 20 Portadown 5XV 15
On Saturday Banbridge Fifths entertained neighbours Portadown in the first game of the new season. It was a tight affair throughout and the opening half hour produced no points. Portadown produced some strong forward play and forced Bann to give away several penalties, however all were outside of their kicker’s range.
Bann started to raise their performance levels and some good runs from Barney McKevitt and Brian O’Shaughnessy took play into the opposition “22”. The ball was moved quickly through the backline to John Woods who sprinted clear to score out wide. Stephen Jackson added the difficult conversion.
Bann were now in the ascendancy, forcing the visitors into conceding several penalties and allowing the Bann forwards to drive deep into opposition territory. Several rucks later and Jackson fed a rampaging Paul Cairns who hit the line at pace and went in to score. Again Jackson added the extras. Portadown responded with a try of their own before Jackson added a penalty.
The Chambers Park side started the second half on the attack, picking up another try before Jackson nudged his side further ahead with a second penalty. But for strong defence by Jerry Ramsey, Chris Nelmes and Jackson Portadown could well have added to their score. Even when the visitors went wide superb tackling by Chris Berry prevented two certain tries. Portadown’s out-half did add a drop goal but Bann’s good defence remained one of the high points of their game, allowing them to retain their five point advantage in the time remaining.
WOMEN’S RUGBY AT BANBRIDGE
Banbridge RFC is throwing open the doors at their Open Evening on Wednesday 25th September and inviting all ladies and girls aged 16 and up to give rugby a try!
The Open Evening which kicks off at 7.30pm is a session of non-contact drills and games.
New players will receive great coaching that will bring you up to competitive game standard. You will learn everything you need to know.
If you are already a player and are moving to Banbridge then come along and introduce yourself – there are lots of positions up for grabs.
Some of the many benefits of rugby, including fun, fitness and friendship are that it also offers opportunities to represent your club, province and country.
Through the success of the Ireland Women’s team winning the Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam, and the 7s team success you could be in a World Cup team in 2018 or indeed in the Olympics in 2016 in Rio, Brazil
The Opening evening will be taken by qualified coaches and representatives of the Ulster Women’s team.
You don’t need boots, tracksuit bottoms and trainers are fine.
So come along and ‘give rugby a try.’
