A third successive bonus point win for Banbridge consolidated their second place position in Division 2A of the Ulster Bank All-Ireland League.
(picture from a previous game)
With Mark Wilson, Robin Thompson and Jonny Pollock all having picked up knocks at Nenagh the previous week, Bann started with Ryan Patterson at flanker, Richard Finlay at out-half and Adam Ervine on the wing, with Neville Farr taking over Ervine’s place at the base of the scrum.
Bann were seven points up within five minutes but despite almost total dominance of territory and possession in the first half they were unable to add to their tally until seven minutes before the break. Simon McKinstry’s drive off a lineout set up the attacking position for the first. When Bann won a scrum metres out from the line the awesome power of the pack drove Suttonians back over their line, allowing No 8 Colin Bickerstaff to effect the touchdown and Neville Farr to add the conversion.
For much of the next 20 minute spell, Bann were on top, with Suttonians’ only scoring opportunity a penalty from 35 metres range which was off target. The visitors created and squandered scoring opportunities aplenty. Stephen Cowan just failed to collect Richard Finlay’s deft crossfield kick with the line beckoning. Ryan Patterson’s blustering runs were punching holes in the Suttonians defence but at crucial moments Bann lost control of the ball when set scrums were well-placed to yield more scores.
Although they remained on top, Farr’s yellow card initially slowed Bann’s momentum, but the second score arrived before the scrum half’s return to the fray. The pack won a lineout near the Suttonians line and on the opposition throw and after a number of re-cycles hooker David Weir forced his way over for the touchdown. Brendan Ward took over the kicking duties from the absent Farr and duly slotted over the conversion.
When Farr hit the upright with a penalty from the opening play of the second half, it set up a period of pressure which ultimately yielded the third try. Stephen Irvine and McKinstry made penetrating runs before Suttonians were penalised seven metres out. Patterson spearheaded another concerted attack which culminated in Michael Cromie driving over from close range, with Farr converting.
A testing grubber from Cowan had the Suttonians defence scrambling to hold Weir up over the line. The Bann three quarters had played a largely secondary role for much of the game. But in the 53rd minute their slick handling, from a move originating inside their own half, ended with Adam Ervine scorching onto Andrew Morrison’s chip ahead and touching down at the posts. Farr converted the bonus point try.
The next 15 minutes belonged to Suttonians as Bann repeatedly fell foul of the referee’s interpretation of the laws, especially at the tackle situation. The home side started to enjoy a level of possession that had previously been denied them and hooker Adrian Hoary’s try in the 62nd minute was no more than their rejuvenated efforts deserved.
But the balance of play swung back the way of the visitors and in the final minute Dale Carson’s determination saw him break through a number of tackles to grab a fifth try for the winners.
Bann now enjoy a one week break before the host Sligo on 18th February. Stephen Irvine’s return to action, his first since the Senior Cup final mid-December, adds further strength in depth to the forward panel. And with Mark Wilson likely to become available for consideration again for the Sligo game the coaches are likely to have to make some difficult choices.
Bann team against Suttonians:- Brendan Ward, Adam Ervine, Andrew Morrison, Jonny Little, Stephen Cowan, Richard Finlay, Neville Farr, Michael Cromie, David Weir, Brian Hanna, Chris Allen, Simon McKinstry (Capt), Dale Carson, Ryan Patterson, Colin Bickerstaff. Replacements (all used):- Jonny Weir, Stephen Irvine, Andy Brown, James Andrews, Andrew Kirkwood.
U17s win Section 1 with victory at Malone ~ Malone 5 BANBRIDGE U17s 17
A last minute Banbridge try last weekend against Malone at Rifle Park set up this Saturday’s return fixture as the Section 1 decider in the U17 league competition. The winner of the Gibson Park encounter would secure themselves a home fixture in the quarter final, and it was Banbridge who ultimately prevailed recording a 5-17 win.
Banbridge will now face Section 2 runners-up Virginia in the quarter-finals.
The full draw is as follows:
11th February
LPO1 Banbridge v Virginia
LPO2 Instonians v Letterkenny
LPO3 Donegal v Randalstown
LPO4 Portadown v Malone
18th February
SF1 = LPO1 winner v LPO2 winner
SF2 = LPO 3 winner v LPO4 winner
25th Febraury
SF1 v SF2 at Neutral Venue
Scratch 15s win ahead of league play-offs ~ Malone 17 BANBRIDGE U15s 22
With League play-off status already assured Bann U-15s travelled to Gibson Park with no less than 10 regulars missing for a variety of reasons. After some frantic Saturday morning calls 15 players were able to take the field.
Malone started the stronger on the muddy but some great defence in the middle of the park from Jordan Mullan and Josh Cromie kept them at bay. After a couple of pick and goes Malone’s No 8 ran in for the opening score.
Eager to get back into the game Bann’s experienced players came to the fore. Cromie made a break in the Malone “22” and fended of three tacklers to level the scores. Hard work in the ruck from Jack Flanagan, Matthew Taylor and Ben Reid was making it difficult for Malone to get good possesion. Captain Ross Haughey turned over another ruck and quick ball to Jason Jardine saw him crash over for the try that gave his side a 10-5 interval lead.
Bann started the first half as they ended the first with Cromie pulling all the strings at the base of the rucks and scrums. He took quick ball and drew in two defenders and quick ball through Mullan allowed Jardine time to round his opponent to bring the score to 17-5.
Malone with a good home crowd cheering them on got themselves back in the Bann “22”. Haughey turned over another ruck but a loose pass from Bann allowed the opposition’s tricky centre to get the converted score.
Bann went on the attack again and good passing between Wayne McCurry, Willie Wilson and full back James Curry got Bann back into the Malone half. Cromie got quick recycled ball and was able to side step his way over the line.
Malone came again but some great defending by Jake Dennison and Robin Hewitt initially kept them at bay. However their big No 8 got the ball at speed and crashed over for the final score of what was one of the most enjoyable games of the season so far.
All in all this was a super performance from the Rifle Park lads. With many boys enjoying more game time than they’ve been used to, they stepped up to the mark to give the coaches some selection options. The experience of Josh Cromie and Ross Haughey kept the forwards and backs organised. Every one of the Bann boys fronted up to the task in hand and they can all be extremely proud of themselves.
In a tight call with Cromie and Haughey for man-of-the-match was Jason Jardine who has a direct style of rugby that is invaluable to the team and saw him score his fifteenth try of the season.
Training continues on Monday and Wednesday nights from 7pm-8-30. It is essential that we have a good turnout so that everyone is aware of what we need to be doing as we enter league play-offs in February and the Ulster Youth cup in March.
U13s enjoy good natured tie at Gibson Park ~ Malone 29 BANBRIDGE U13s 34
Banbridge U-13s travelled to Malone with only 12 players due to a string of injuries and cry-offs. The eager Malone squad were more than willing to provide players to Bann to facilitate a full 15-a-side contest, which gave a clear indication of the good-natured competition that lay ahead.
In challenging cold wet conditions the match started brightly with Malone working hard at the breakdown and always looking to move the ball to their large mobile wings. Bann seemed a little out of their depth at first; the backs failed to come up in a flat line and tackling was poor.
Malone were first on the scorecard with a well worked try distributing the ball to the wings. They worked diligently through the whole half, sometimes spreading the ball wide, sometimes taking it through the centres, exploiting excellent handling skills that defied the weather conditions and using nicely weighted chip kicks to open up space behind the Bann defence.
Bann showed inconsistent defending and didn’t always play to the whistle in a match where plenty of advantage was being offered by the referee. Jamie Mullen’s support play was excellent, but too often other support failed to arriveand by the interval Malone had scored 29 points without reply.
At half time Malone changed their loan players to Bann and coach Mick gave the team a rousing talk, asking them to pretend that the score was nil-all and to play to the last minute.
It was clear that the talk had been taken to heart after the restart as Bann defended against continual Malone attacks on their line and with ten minutes played in the second half there had been no further scoring. Alexander Brown made some great tackles during this hectic period of defence.
This fired Bann’s confidence and a sweeping breakout saw them move the length of the field only to have Jack Myles’ try attempt denied due to being held up.. No birthday boy luck for him that time! However confidence had been restored and Bann soon got on the score card with a well-worked try. More was to come from the re-start as the Bann team doggedly chased and played to the whistle, thereby exploiting an advantage to send Charlie Wright away for another try.
For the next few minutes it was one-way traffic, with Charlie Jones, Charlie Wright (3), Daniel McBurney and Jack Myles crossing for tries. Whether Malone eased off due to over-confidence or Bann just committed more to playing to the last minute can be argued, but the fact remains that the final Bann try at full time was also the first time they were ahead on the scoreboard. Both Charlie Wright and Jamie Mullen scored with conversions.
There are important lessons for both teams around playing full advantage and playing the full 60 minutes in the run in to the Cup.
Many thanks to the positive Malone team and coaching staff and especially the six Malone players who played in such a committed manner whilst subbing on the Banbridge side.
