BANBRIDGE 2NDs 23 Queens 2nds 20
Having beaten Queen’s Seconds by a single score the previous week, Bann Seconds knew to expect another tight match in the return league game. However that was not how it was looking as Bann took the game to Queens and scored an early try through Peter Cromie. They soon added a second through Paul Ross and although Queen’s had scored a penalty through the talented Paddy Farrell, Bann looked to be in control with the score 10 – 3.
Bann took the foot of the gas a little and allowed Queen’s into the game, but a superb passage of play from the forwards gave Andrew Kirkwood the ball in some space on the right hand side and as he drew the defenders he gave a clever pass to right winger John Porter who raced in to take the score to 15 – 3 at half time.
Soon after the re-start Bann were back on the attack and playing the game in the Queen’s half, and were rewarded with a penalty by John Ferris. After another period of pressure the ball was popped to second row Conn who seemed to spill the ball, but as he twisted out of the tackle he re-gathered and crashed over the line to put Bann 23-3 in front. Unfortunately in the act of scoring he injured his shoulder and had to leave the field. This spurred the Queen’s team into action, they threw caution to the wind and attacked from everywhere and were rewarded with two quick tries to make it 23 – 15.
Banbridge were starting to show signs of nerves and indiscipline and with 10 minutes remaining skipper Paul Ross was shown a yellow card for a high tackle. Queen’s scored a try soon after but crucially missed the conversion leaving the score 23 – 20 with seven minutes to go.
A huge effort was needed and that’s what the thirteen Bann men gave, holding out Queen’s to secure a vital league victory which now leaves them one win away from securing their 2nd XV league.
There were some super performances for Bann on Saturday, notably from Ferris in the centre and Colin Hamilton at scrum half. But it was in the pack where the game was won and Man of the Match goes to loose head Kris Campbell, who gave his opposite number a torrid time in the scrum all afternoon.
McArdle impresses in comfortable win for U13s
BANBRIDGE U13s 67 Newry 0
March 16, 2013
Unfortunately for Newry they could only field 13 players against a full strength Bann. It didn’t bode well when the Newry team were warming up and their coaches were explaining how to scrummage. The referee had to inform Bann that scrums would be uncontested taking away a big part of their game plan.
Bann won the toss and elected to receive, and from the kick Hayden Kerr caught the ball and ran around weak defenders to score under the posts. Converted by Eoin Rice, 7-0
The next kick-off was caught by Adam Buller just outside his “22” and he carved through weak tackles to score the second try under the posts, converted by Eoin 14-0
The Newry players seemed shell-shocked and worse was to follow as the kick off was caught by Matthew Neil who muscled his way to score the third try to put his team 19-0 ahead with five minutes played!
There followed a short period of rucking and tackling, with Bann in full control. Adam Buller made a break out wide and in the tackle passed to Jamie Mullen who cut inside and sprinted to score, converted by Eoin 26-0.
Newry managed to get their hands on the ball following a knock on and tried to run out wide but strong tackling forced a turnover and Bann surged forward with good passing along the back line which saw Ryan Jones canter in from 15 metres out.
To Newry’s credit they didn’t give up but it wasn’t long before Matthew Neil again forced his way over, having run from the halfway, ignoring support and hogging the ball to score, converted by Eoin for a 38-0 scoreline.
With half-time looming Bann looked to increase the score, with Newry unable to stem the tide. Hayden Kerr made a telling break and linking up with Jack Dorman who passed out to wing Ben McArdle and from the “22” he out-sprinted the cover defence to score in the corner, much to the delight of his team mates who picked him up and carried him back to the halfway, 43-0.
Unfortunately for Ryan Jones he picked up an injury and was replaced by Rory McNiff.
Half-time and Eliot McCormick replaced James O’Rourke at loose head prop.
The second half continued as the first but Bann moved the ball wide at every opportunity. From a turnover in the ruck Adam Buller ran half the length of the pitch to score, converted by Eoin 50-0.
Newry’s No 8 made two or three excellent breaks but support was poor and Bann were able to snuff out any gains. After a series of rucks the ball found its way to Ben McArdle on the left wing, 22 metres out. He stepped inside and side-stepped the full back to score under the posts, this time carried back by ‘firemans lift’ to half-way, converted by Eoin 57-0.
Newry never gave up and had some decent possession but lack of basic handling skills let them down and it wasn’t long before Hayden Kerr broke through. As he got to the line he looked for support but had to score himself.
From the kick off the ball came back towards Newry at pace and Hayden Kerr was through but unselfishly passed to Hugo Bertholon who managed to get tackled as he reached the line and was knocked into touch. The line out ended with a scrum to Bann 5 out and Tom Dolaghan picked and forced his way over for a final score of 67-0. All credit to Newry for never dropping their heads.
Man of the match Ben McArdle grinned his way to the changing rooms. A good day at the office for Bann.
