Beaten but never Bowed; Down but never out. Carrick U15 were beaten in the semi-final of the Brewin Dolphin Sponsored Ulster Cup at Woodlawn on Saturday. Although tremendously disappointed, Banbridge turned out to be the better team on the day with a very determined second half performance. Carrick will lick their wounds and come back all the stronger next season.
For Jimmy McTeggart, Carrick’s forwards’ coach this was a particularly bitter pill to swallow as this was his third semi defeat in a row all at the hands of Banbridge. Jimmy was in philosophical mood post-game as he praised his team. “These boys are an Under 14 side in an Under 15 competition. They have done the near impossible by winning the Ulster League title this year, and but for missing 4 key players today might well have achieved the impossible by winning the league and cup double a year young. All credit to ‘Bann’ and we wish their great side well in the final.”
Carrick started the game in impressive form and put pressure on the visitors from the start. Banbridge were caught out in their own line and Neil Beggs and Matthew Fisher hauled the full back down for Porter to score. Wallace added the conversion.
Carrick piled on the pressure with their scrum in fine form but Banbridge broke loose and hit back in the 20th minute with an unconverted try. The Reds were stung by their poor defense and struck back almost immediately when Wallace went on a double loop and fought off a despairing tackle to score on the left touchline and then very narrowly missed the difficult conversion.
Straight from the kick-off Carrick surged into Banbridge territory and the scrum of the day dismantled Banbridge and John Stewart took an invaluable strike against the head. Conor Cambridge fired the ball to Wallace who ran laterally and flicked the ball to skipper Jake Porter who blasted between the sticks to score a try greeted by rapturous applause from the large Carrick support. Wallace failed with the conversion but it all looked like next stop Ravenhill for the home side at this point.
Banbridge don’t quit on their stools easily and they drove powerfully up field and Carrick strayed offside and ‘Bann’ converted the resulting penalty and two minutes later powered up field again to score a try to keep the semi alive for the second half.
H.T Carrick 17-13 Banbridge.
The breeze was to play a large part in the second half as Banbridge out-half Cameron Cromie kicked long several times to put Carrick under pressure when they had worked hard to secure scoring positions. Banbridge surged to the line to score an unconverted try. A dubious penalty put the visitors further in front before Carrick shell shocked picked themselves off the floor for Neil Beggs to put Carrick back in this pulsating game of Youth Rugby.
The Reds knew they had to score a try to draw level and as often happens in these situations, talented players try too hard to put the world to rights and form such a situation Carrick surrendered possession and the ascendant Banbridge needed no second bidding as they sealed the contest with a try in the corner. Carrick out: – Banbridge in the final: – The winner? – Youth Rugby. Never mind the Medallion Shield give me this any day! Both teams applauded one another at the end. Credit to both sets of parents and supporters. Well done both teams.
Carrick 22- 32 Banbridge
Beaten but not bowed Carrick will be back in fine fettle next season.
