More on the I XV ASAP, below reports from the U15s & U13s!!!!!!!!!!!! + NEW Supporters kit in main picture is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!! & mini squad pictured in their new jersey. Theres also news on from across the club which we will try to keep up with, for all news visit their facebook page HERE
BANBRIDGE U15s 55 Malone 12 October 20, 2012
Bann started this game with a sense of purpose and a change in attitude, obviously keen to put the defeats in their two previous games firmly behind them.
From the Malone kick- off Bann got themselves into the opposition “22” and Max Buller found the impressive Lee Jackson who crashed over for the opening score.
From a scrum inside his own half Buller this time went to his playmaker, Charlie Jones, who sold a dummy pass and out-stripped the defence only to get tackled short of the line. Samuel Mount popped up on the edge of the ruck and forced himself over to score under the posts. Captain Jack Flanagan added the conversion.
Another incisive Jones break led to the next score when the re-cycled ball found Matthew Blain who was able to effect the touchdown.
The next 10 minutes saw a Malone fightback. Two quick scores from their No 8 in open play and their flanker from a loose lineout brought the half time score to 17-12.
Some stern words at half time had the desired effect as the home side resumed on the offensive. The second half started with Adam Ferris making his Banbridge debut. From a line out deep in the Malone half Bann debutant Adam Ferris found himself having a dream first touch when he outwitted and out-powered the defence on his way to the try line.
The momentum was now firmly back with Bann and within seven minutes Jackson had completed his hat-trick. Then Flanagan drew in the opposition and found Callum Carlisle running a great line to crash over for the next.
William Wilson was next to make a break and with Adam Cromwell in support he also made it over the line. The game ended with the powerhouse Jackson fending off no less than six tacklers on a 40 metre surge to the posts.
This was a very good performance from the team. Bar the 10 minutes at the end of the first half never took their foot of the gas. The carries of Mount and Adam Cromwell were invaluable to the team. Robin Hewitt’s ability to secure and close off the rucks is an example for the other players to emulate.
Ferris and Carlisle both showed that they are going to be important additions to the squad, not just by their tries but their all-round play. Jones and John Buller were superb in the backs considering they are among the youngest.
However Man-of-the-match must go to Jackson, who posed a constant threat to Malone and finished with four tries to his name.
The Under 15s have a fixture arranged for Wednesday night against Lurgan at home under the floodlights, kick off 7pm so everyone should be there for 6.30pm. With such a big squad competition for places is fierce. There is a lot of work going on to ensure that all the squad get plenty of game time.
Training continues on Monday and Wednesday nights from 7-8.30pm.
U13s score seven past Malone BANBRIDGE U13s 39 Malone 0
A blissful autumnal morning greeted the players as they ran on to do battle at Rifle Park. With the sun shining and the spectators in expectant mood Bann Under 13s were determined to put on a good show and banish the memories of the previous weekend when their previous 100% record had been marred by a draw at Carrick.
With Mathers chosen as captain Bann decided to play up the hill in the first half. From the kick off and subsequent tackle Hayden Kerr made an early run at the Malone defence, setting up ruck ball which was transferred to the wing. As proved to be the story throughout the game, the Bann rucking was efficient and Malone were forced to concede a penalty. Kerr took a quick tap but when an excellent tackle by Malone stopped him just short Rory McNiff was on hand to pick up and score.
From the kick off Bann ran the ball back at Malone who conceded a further penalty on their 10 metre line for playing the ball on the ground in a ruck. Matthew Neill took a quick tap and ran into solid Malone defence. The ball was turned over and Malone attacked with vigour down the right wing. An excellent tackle by the Bann back line took the ball into touch.
Bann used the lineout to force several good breaks in the tight, rucking superbly to release quick ball. With only five metres to go the Bann forwards picked and should have passed out wide but took on the defence and in the tackle knocked the ball on when under the posts. Bann forced a turn over on the resultant scrum with a good strike from Mathers and Tom Dologhan seized the opportunity to make amends and scored an unconverted try.
Play then flowed from side to side with several good passages of play before Malone conceded a penalty near the halfway line. Kerr again saw a gap and a quick tap penalty saw him run outside the covering defence to add a third unconverted try.
Bann made their customary changes with four new faces appearing from the bench. Despite these changes they soon had the upper hand in the loose and rucks with Dologhan again surging for the line only to drop the ball again with the line begging.
As Bann continued to dominate Ben McArdle, Dologhan and Neill were all tackled just short of the try line. A scrum to Malone was again hooked against the head and Dologhan picked and drove over for a try, with Adam Buller’s conversion taking his side 22 points clear.
Bann were in total control and from the re-start Neill and Kerr combined to put Buller in at the posts, surely the pick of the tries, to which the scorer added the conversion.
Solid midfield defence saw the ball go loose and Mathers hacked through only for Kerr to knock on two metres short of the line. However a Malone offence offered him a second bite and this time he made no mistake.
From the kick off Bann knocked on and Malone ran the ball wide but good cover defence by McArdle and an excellent piece of mauling by Kerr saw him rip the ball from the opposition wing and sprint the length of the pitch to complete his first hat-trick.
For the second week running Kerr picked up the man-of-the-match accolade but this was very much a team performance.
