With both Banbridge and visitors Old Wesley having recorded useful wins on the first weekend of All-Ireland League action, the stage was set for a tightly contested encounter on Saturday.
Although Bann had the edge in the first half, they managed to score just two unconverted tries, so that when livewire Wesley winger Barry McLaughlin raced in for a try just before the break, all the home side had to show for their dominance was a 13-8 lead.
Ian Porter’s second successful penalty, in the opening minute of the second half, edged his team further ahead. But for the next 10 minutes Wesley pummelled at the home line in an effort to get the score that would bring them right back into the game. Finally Dale Carson broke out of the “22” and when Stephen Irvine carried further upfield, the siege had been well and truly lifted. That proved to be a turning point
Porter’s third penalty was matched by a similar effort from McLaughlin but two tries in as many minutes around the hour mark, both converted by Porter, took Bann into a 33-11 lead and assured them of a second bonus point win.
With the result as good as decided Wesley’s defence began to fragment as Bann ran in three further converted scores with two late, late tries for the visitors doing little to ease the pain of a heavy defeat.
After McLaughlin had opened the scoring with a 2nd minute penalty, it took Bann 18 minutes to break down the Wesley defence, with Gregg Taylor up in support of Andrew Morrison’s fine line break to feed left winger Ashley Finlay with the scoring pass.
Five minutes later Jonny Little’s strong running down the left hand touchline set up a series of scrums near the visitors’ line which should have yielded a score but Wesley managed to hold out. Then after hooker Jonny Weir had made good ground through a packed defence, Taylor shook off a number of tackles en-route to the try line.
Porter’s first penalty took his side 13-3 clear, only for that late McLaughlin touchdown to leave his side just five points adrift at the break.
Bann’s third try came courtesy of Finlay’s nimble footwork as he took a pass from a ruck 35 metres out and danced and weaved his way through a phalanx of players to the posts. Two minutes later John Porter displayed his own brand of wing trickery when he collected in broken play 70 metres out, jinked his way through the first line of defence and out-paced all chasers on a race to the line.
With brother Ian converting both tries Bann were now 22 points clear. Ten minutes later Matthew Johnston came off the bench to intercept 40 metres out and run in unhindered. Then John Porter came in from his blindside wing to take a pass from a ruck on the “22” and again find a way though a faltering defence for his second score. With Ian Porter converting both Bann were now out of sight at 47-11.
Johnston rubbed salt in the Wesley wound when he finished off after good off-loading by Ryan Patterson and Michael Cromie, with Jonny Pollock slotting over the conversion instead of the replaced Porter.
Steven Harvey and Richie Jermyn had a try apiece in opposite corners in the dying minutes to more fairly reflect the effort their team had put in over the 80 minutes. But it was to be a long trip back to Dublin for the Donnybrook men as they reflected on one of their heaviest ever defeats.
Bann now top the Division 2A table, with their superior points difference keeping them just in front of Corinthians. But the coaching team know that there is a long season ahead, and with Cork visitors Highfield next up at Rifle Park on October 27th they are unlikely to allow the slightest degree of complacency to seep into the changing room.
This Saturday Bann travel to Ballynahinch for an Ulster League game. They will be keen to maintain the momentum built up over recent weeks. But Ballymacarn Park has not been a happy hunting ground in recent seasons and a win of any sort would no doubt satisfy players, coaches and supporters alike.
Bann team v Old Wesley:- Gregg Taylor, John Porter, Andrew Morrison, Jonny Little, Ashley Finlay, Jonny Pollock, Ian Porter, Colin Bickerstaff, Jonny Weir, Michael Cromie, Stephen Irvine, Simon McKinstry (Capt), Dale Carson, Mark Wilson, Jonny Graham. Replacements:- Matt Wilson, Peter Cromie, Ryan Patterson, Craig Mulholland, Matthew Johnston.
Photos courtesy of Anna Mathers.
