Under 17 Banbridge 14-17 H
Under 15 Banbridge 46-0 H
Under 13 Banbridge 27-27 H
Carrrick U15s down the “Bann”.
Carrick Under15s side, sponsored by NK Ltd, continued their fine recent form with a comprehensive winning display at The Tom Simms Memorial Park against Co. Down Premiership kingpins Banbridge.
The foundations for this win were laid by a powerful defensive display from the home side as the visitors pummelled them with wave after wave of attacks. Having repelled these initial attacks the home pack began to assert some dominance in the contact area and set plays and indeed opening the scoring with a try from centre Evan Sloan. Playing up the hill Carrick were again rewarded for their hard work in the tight with second row debutant Conor Dodds breaking through a number of would be tacklers to score Carrick’s second try which was converted by Jordan Robinson.
In the half time interval the Carrick coaching staff asked for a big second half performance and the players certainly responded. The Carrick half backs playing with the slope kept the pressure on the home side with some good positional kicking and the now rampant home pack continually broke through the defensive tackles providing a stream to go forward ball for the backs. The game was effectively over when, within a 10 minute period of play, the home side scored tries from Gareth Hartley, “Dangerous Dan” McBurney and Jordan Devenny, two of which were converted by Jordan Robinson. Not to be completely overshadowed by the forwards, outhalf Sam Gorman and centre Connor Gascoigne touched down for the backs division but it was a fitting tribute that No.8 Jordan Devenney would score the final try of the game.
The coaching staff gave the man of the match award to the entire pack of forwards for their work rate and effort both in defence and attack. This week the league campaign continues with a difficult away fixture at Lurgan. Training continues at the club on Wednesday night starting at 7pm sharp.
Final Score: Carrick U15s 46 Banbridge U15s 0
U13s stalemate with Banbridge!
On Saturday 13th October, Carrick welcomed the challenge of Banbridge to The Tomm Simms Memorial Park. On a morning that great sunshine and a wet pitch didn’t disappoint at all, with entertainment throughout the game, the lead changing hands on a few occasions and a great finish to the game! Banbridge won the toss and opted to kick with the sunny conditions in their favour. The match started brightly, with both teams tackling, rucking and running with pace, intensity and commitment meant we were in for a treat! On the 5 min mark, Carrick broke the deadline through Thomas Alexander, showing immense pace and footwork to beat the defenders and score in corner. Try was unconverted. Banbridge picked up the intensity and grit, and came back at Carrick hard and physical. The next few minutes, Banbridge caught Carrick’s defence sleeping and scored 17 points, and it could have been more if it weren’t for Jack Cooper, putting his body on the line for a great try-saving tackle. Gobsmacked, the Carrick coaches rallied their players, and responded in fashion. With influential captain Kyle Bell making his trademark runs from the base of the scrum, fed good, quick ball the backs found the ever lurking Thomas Alexander to score under the posts, for a converted try from Ciaran Wilson. With half-time looming, Carrick were not to give up easily, and with sheer determination from the front row of Reece Malcolmson, Nathan McErlean and Mathhew Ellis made great ground, and fed, again, the Thomas ‘the scoring machine’ Alexander in the corner.
Half-time: Carrick 17-17 Banbridge
With the changes made, Banbridge started the brighter, attacking Carrick’s line at every opportunity, and it had stood firm for a good period of time. However, with the pressure getting heavier and heavier, Banbridge scored. Try unconverted. Another rally from Carrick coaches gave the players something to respond to, most noticeably, Josh Beasant, who was a thorn in the side of Banbridge, threatening and lurking all day. Possession went back and forth, with both sides not giving an inch, made try saving tackles and great turnovers from Carrick kept Banbridge at bay further. Crucial point of the 2nd half, with 5 mins remaining, Carrick turned over ball inside their own 22, great handling found Josh Beasant and he outsprinted the Banbridge players for a great score under the posts, for a converted try. Carrick 24-22 Banbridge with 5 mins remaining. However, Banbridge captain, No 7, made it through under the posts for a converted try. With only a few mins remaining of the game, Banbridge conceded penalty after penalty and Carrick found themselves on the opposition 5m line. With Banbridge continuing to concede more penalties, they were threatening to give away a penalty try…however, it was not necessary as Kyle Bell scored towards the corner. With the conversion to come, the game was all square! With a difficult kick, Ciaran Wilson made an excellent attempt, with the ball drifting just wide, to mark the end of the game.
Final score: Carrick U13s 27 Banbridge U13s 27
Consolation in Defeat
Even before the start of this Elite game Carrick were up against it with 4 major players down injured and a late ‘cry-off’ making it 5. Banbridge are big and physically strong and from the kick-off proved a handful in the collision stakes.
Carrick for their part early on played all the rugby and Wallace set Porter and McCracken away but both were stopped short. Poor tackling on Bann’s tight forwards saw their out-half burst through for an unconverted try. Moments later the visitor’s scrum-half broke clear and a brave attempt by his opposite number Cambridge could not halt him scoring at the posts. Try converted.
The Reds were stung into action by this insult to their defence and almost immediately Sam Wallace broke clear to score and add the conversion himself. Tragedy struck 3 minutes from the end of the half when Wallace was floored by a late tackle and had to leave the field with a hip injury.
After the break Carrick, although weakened, continued to improve and Conor Cambridge’s box kick bounced awkwardly and Dylan McDowell sprinted clear with the ball to score. Jamie McCracken added the points to send Carrick clear by 2 points.
Banbridge came back strongly and only great defence and butchered chances stopped them from scoring. Carrick withstood the onslaught manfully for several minutes but eventually were left shorthanded on the right flank and Banbridge regained the lead.
The Carrick boys laid siege to the visitor’s line in the final minutes but could not break down the defence. Final score 17-14. Lost but not bowed Carrick can be proud of a performance with so many players side-lined through injury.
Final score: CarrickU17 14-17 Banbridge
