Division 3 FT Banbridge 26 Greystones 25. Another thriller at Rifle Park – Bann come from 9-25 down midway through second half to win.
Knowing the Bann men as we do they will not waver in their focus.
What a day for the club however with the following results:
Saturdays Results- 1sts beat Greystones- 26-25, 3rds beat Instonians 3rds- 22-5, 4ths beat Coleraine 4ths- 39-16 & 5ths beat Ophir 3rds- 26-7. An Awesome day for the club!
I XV Report
Thompson leads late fightback to deny Greystones
BANBRIDGE 1STs 26 Greystones 25
January 29, 2011
Banbridge are making a habit out of producing dramatic finales to their Ulster Bank All-Ireland League games this season.
Three tries in the final 15 minutes earned them a bonus-point win at Wanderers and in their last AIL outing at Rifle Park, Dale Carson’s last-minute try secured a narrow win against Sunday’s Well.
But the escape act they produced last Saturday bettered both of those as they recovered from a seemingly hopeless 9-25 deficit with 55 minutes played to edge the narrowest of wins against an impressive Greystones side.
The staunchest of home supporters must have given up hope when Greystones winger Andrew Kealy collected a neat cross-field kick from his out-half Ross Spillane and sprinted 85 metres to touch down in the corner for his side’s bonus-winning fourth try and a seemingly uncatchable 16 point lead.
Indeed only the virtually flawless kicking of out-half Robin Thompson had kept any sort of hope alive for the home side as he followed a mighty 50 metre effort in the 3rd minute with further successful strikes on 11 and 28 minutes.
But meantime the Co Wicklow team was racking up the tries. Spillane twisted out of an attempted tackle to put Simon Malone in for a try in the 6th minute. The centre rounded behind the posts for the touchdown, but significantly as it turned out, Spillane’s conversion kick missed the target.
The fragility of the Bann defence was again exposed in the 14th minute as Kealy scorched in for a try at the left hand corner flag.
Bann survived further periods of pressure, turning over ruck ball twice and forcing a knock-on to limit the visitors to two first-half tries augmented by a Kealy penalty with the last kick of the half.
Bann had their moments in that first period, with a stunning breakout from his “22” by lock Chris Allen setting Ashley Finlay and Ben Purvis off on runs which eventually won a penalty out wide in the “22”, only for Thompson to miss for the only time in the game.
Greystones were quick to build on their 9-13 lead after the interval. The bullocking runs of prop Bobby Clancy had been causing problems for Bann and six minutes into the second half he again broke through the first-line defence to put lock Ben Armstrong in under the posts, with Kealy converting.
The visitors’ rearguard had a thorough testing for much of the next 10 minutes as the Bann forwards raised their game. But the Greystones defence was proving as resilient as their attack was enterprising. And when ruck ball was eventually turned over to set up that second try for Kealy, that looked like game,set and match to Greystones.
Bann resumed on the attack and Finlay just failed to hold a difficult pass with the line beckoning. But finally the breakthrough came in the 63rd minute, with flanker Ryan Patterson stretching over to touch down after being hauled down inches short of the line. Thompson’s conversion reduced the deficit to nine points and the out-half converted a penalty six minutes later, with the original 46 metre shot at goal shortened by 10 metres thanks to some Greystones indiscipline.
The scent of victory was now in the home nostrils and when Bann won ruck ball in front of the posts Thompson’s tidy footwork created an unlikely gap between two Greystones players, his flamboyant dive at the posts marking the significance of a try which he duly converted to edge his side in front.
With Bann failing to field the re-start Greystones were to spend the final three minutes encamped deep in the home “22”, but all assaults on the line were repelled and a final shot at retrieving the situation by Spillane saw his drop goal attempt sail wide.
Bann will count themselves fortunate to have picked up a win from a game in which for long periods they were outplayed by a Greystones side which had the pace out wide to expose Bann’s defensive flaws.
But on the positive side Bann showed a spirit and resilience which opposing teams will discount at their peril. This weekend’s visitors to Rifle Park, Rainey, have also registered a win over Greystones. It will take an improved display, and in particular a better first half display, if Bann are to hold onto the top four place in which they again find themselves.
Saturday’s game kicks off at 2.30pm.
Bann team against Greystones:- Ben Purvis, Ashley Finlay, Jonny Little, James Andrews, Stephen Cowan, Robin Thompson, Jonny Pollock, Michael Cromie, Jonny Murphy, Brian Hanna, Chris Allen, Simon McKinstry (Capt), Colin Bickerstaff, Ryan Patterson, Dale Carson. Replacements:- James McCrum, Lee Allen, Jonny Gibson, Michael Chambers (for J Pollock), A Morrison (for J Andrews).
Seconds beaten by experienced ‘Hinch
BANBRIDGE 2NDs 10 Ballynahinch 2nds 19
January 28, 2011
On Friday night Bann Seconds entertained a Ballynahinch second string with an abundance of AIL Division One experience, and although another narrow result went against them, they are now putting in improved performances after the enforced break at Christmas.
The home side started brightly and after fielding the kick-off, made good ground into the ‘Hinch half with controlled drives. A penalty allowed out-half Andrew Kirkwood to send play deep into the visitors “22”, and the subsequent play was again illegally halted by ‘Hinch, giving Bann a three point lead through Clarke McCallister on two minutes.
Eight minutes later Bann let in a soft try when they failed to close down an initially clever kick into the visitors “22”. The chasers failed to pin the full back and he strode forward where he found support to flash the ball along the back-line for the overlap to tell.
Bann went back on the offensive and again forced a penalty which McCallister failed to convert to reduce the arrears, but it showed that the home backs and forwards were keen to impress. This was evident on 25 minutes when Kirkwood again sent a penalty deep into the “22”. The take and drive from the resultant lineout was impressive as the Bann pack drove to the line, but just when a try seemed odds on, ‘Hinch crafted a turnover, and as Bann tried to make amends, they were caught offside for ‘Hinch to relieve the pressure.
This mistake proved costly as ‘Hinch moved the score further ahead with a second try, this time gained when a period of pressure inside the home “22” caught Bann out with some good inter-play between players to create the gap.
With the tally now at 12-3, Bann knew a score for them was vital, and five minutes before the interval they scored a deserved try through centre Will Taylor. Bann had worked themselves upfield where they gained an attacking scrum 15 metres out. The scrum, which had previously been under pressure, remained solid and after some good rucking, scrum-half Michael Chambers got clean ball to move swiftly along the backs for Taylor to score. McCallister added the extras to leave the half time score 12-10.
The second half again saw Bann encamp themselves deep in opposition territory when they chose to send penalties down the line. The resultant period of drives off the line-outs were initially successful but stopped just short, with ‘Hinch able to relieve when over-eagerness conceded a penalty. Bann’s frustration was intensified when the visitors were yet again able to score when back into the Bann “22”. A period of fierce defending on their line by Bann eventually came unstuck when the ‘Hinch attacker was for once not met by a defender. The conversion moved the score on to 19-10 to the visitors.
With 28 minutes still to play, Bann never wavered from their game plan, and indeed some facets of play, like the scrum, improved slightly. For the next 15 minutes Bann remained in the visitors “22” without reward. The backs were also being increasingly brought into the game after initial graft by the pack. On a couple of occasions full back Mark Doherty created openings, one of which was taken on by the impressive running of Jordan Weir, who was unlucky not to have the support he needed.
This unrewarded pattern continued for much of the remainder of the game, with Bann able to get straight back into the “22” even when ‘Hinch had relieved their line. Clever positional kicks by Chambers, Kirkwood and Doherty ensured play was in the ‘Hinch half.
Even after the yellow carding of a ‘Hinch player five minutes from time for persistent infringement Bann were unable to get the score their territorial edge warranted.
Overall this was an efficient win for Ballynahinch whose experience eventually got them through, but Bann can take comfort from the fact that on another day those periods of pressure would have told.
Thirds beat Instonians in Crawford Cup
BANBRIDGE 3RDs 22 Instonians 3rds 5
January 29, 2011
League-leading Bann Thirds were paired against Instonians Thirds in the second round of this year’s Crawford Cup on Saturday past. Rifle Park was buzzing with four home games, and the Thirds were keen to put in a good performance. Instonians looked very sharp in their pre-match warm-up and Bann knew they were going to have to be in top form to earn themselves a place in the third round.
Bann started very well and continually pinned Instonians in their own half. Only determined defence by Inst prevented Bann crossing their line. The first points eventually arrived thanks to a penalty kicked by
Francois Viljoen.
The Bann pack dominated the scrums with the strong front row of Gareth Jelly, Geoff Little and Andrew Craig making life hard for the opposition. Stephen Nelson and Brian Curran were doing an equally good job in the lineout, securing all their own ball and an unfair share of the oppositions.
With the Bann back-row of Sam Boyd, Curran and Matthew Bird providing a great link between the forwards and backs, and Ross Semple making some great runs into the opposition line, it wasn’t long before Bann got their first try through Matthew Bird. Viljoen was unlucky with the conversion but Bann had an eight point lead.
Bann continued to play to the game plan with Andy Cowan providing out-half Viljoen with lots of quality ball which the Bann centres Jonny Clarke and Gary McKibben used to good effect. The back three of Calum Boland, Adam Waugh and Peter Irvine probed the Inst defence at every opportunity and Bann soon got their second try when McKibben broke through to ground the ball under the posts. Viljoen added the extras to stretch the lead to 15-0.
Some fantastic tight play from the Bann forwards saw Curran get over the line for a well-deserved try and when Viljoen slotted the conversion between the posts Bann were 22-0 ahead. Apart from a lazy 10 minutes at the start of the second half, when Bann deviated from their game plan and allowed Instonians to get into the game briefly, this was a clinical performance from the side.
The visitors did get in for a consolation try towards the end of the match with a very well-worked move.
Selecting a man of the match was particularly difficult as so many players played very well. Cowan and Viljoen both caught the eye in the backs, while Bird, Curran and Semple excelled themselves in the pack.
However, Sam Boyd was the man of the match this week with a fantastic performance, stripping ball off the opposition at every opportunity and making a number of surging runs to set up great attacking ball for Bann.
If this team continues to make the effort to train together then there is every chance of going all the way in this competition.
Fourths fight back to beat Coleraine
BANBRIDGE 4THs 39 Coleraine 4ths 16
January 29, 2011
The Fourths faced Coleraine at Rifle Park and it was the visitors that started the match the stronger. Within the first five minutes Coleraine had pressurised the Bann “22” and two penalties were converted to give them a six point lead.
But the home side were not about to be pushed around. Neil McKinney and Barney McKevitt drove through the middle and the first back line move gave Bann an opportunity in the corner. The final pass didn’t go to hand but Bann held the territory and soon after a rolling maul crossed the line, with Jonny Sleator emerging with the ball to claim the touchdown. The conversion was pushed wide.
Coleraine continued to press and their pack drove over to score. Bann had hardly recovered from this when the visitors again forced their way over the line for the second time in five minutes. This gave Coleraine a 16 – 5 lead on the half hour.
Bann’s response was impressive as they began to dominate the possession and field position. John Ferris strategically kicked to the corners and Ben Martin was stealing lineout ball. But the final try of the half came from a defensive error when McKevitt slipped three tackles to run through and score under the posts. Ferris knocked over the conversion to leave his side 12-16 down at the break.
Where the first half had been a forwards’ game with all scores coming from the pack, the second half couldn’t have been more different. A few moments after the re-start Ferris slotted a penalty to take Bann within a point of the visitors.
The Bann pack drove up the middle then Ross Mulholland made a break down the narrow right side before floating a pass in front of Chris Berry who collected and dived into the corner to score.
Bann were soon back on the offensive and when Coleraine failed to clear their lines, Stephen Jackson attacked from deep releasing the Colin Hamilton/Andrew Jordan centre partnership to breakthrough the oncoming defence. Kris Coleman got the touchdown in the corner with Ferris again slotting over the kick.
The last score of the game came from a clever crossfield kick from Ferris which Jackson gathered to score. Ferris again added the extras.
This was a very impressive performance for the Fourths ahead of the Forster Cup match this week against Omagh 3rds.
Fifths round off great Saturday with Shield win
BANBRIDGE 5THs 26 Ophir 3rds 7
January 29, 2011
With Banbridge Fifths having drawn Ophir Thirds in the first round of the Butler Shield, the attraction of the knock-out competition meant that a few players who had been out injured made themselves available again.
It was great to see Stuart Wickie, Justin Gerring and Kris Eadie all back and starting a rugby match after extended breaks. With three home matches already due to be played at Rifle Park, Banbridge Academy kindly allowed use of one of their pitches for the match.
Within minutes of the kick-off Bann had made their way into the Ophir half and set up camp. Good Bann possession through the forwards saw an Ophir player coming in from the side and the resultant penalty allowed the Bann outside half, Jake Fisher, his first shot at goal for the day. Unfortunately the attempt was wide of the posts.
However, the Bann forwards were maintaining the pressure and a rumbling maul saw Fisher held up over the line. Within 15 minutes Bann lost Elliott Fisher with a shoulder injury. This was soon followed by injuries to Mark Lewis and Justin Gerring and Bann had to re-group with the introduction of their three substitutes.
The larger Ophir pack was applying the pressure on the Bann eight and a number of breaks from their lock forward had to be dealt with. Wickie and Marc Eadie were able to contain the threat on the Bann try line with a series of tackles. Once possession was retrieved Kris Eadie was able to break the gain line and set up a good attacking postion. The Bann pack created the perfect rolling maul and Wickie broke off at the opportune moment to score close to the posts. Jake Fisher converted.
In the second half Bann again pressurised in the Ophir “22”. Having been provided with quick delivery from a Bann line-out, centre Jerry Ramsey worked a neat switch with midfield partner Chris Nelmes who broke the line at pace and scored under the posts. Fisher’s kick added the extras.
Bann were now playing their best rugby of the game and with Paul Cairns and Wickie supplying quality ball from the line-out, Bann’s backline was able to move the ball wide to bring Russell Anderson in from full-back. Anderson and winger Matthew Quinn linked up well following a chip ahead, only for the full-back to be bundled into touch five metres out.
Play remained in the Ophir “22” and from another quality lineout Jerry Ramsey sold an outrageous dummy and raced in under the posts for a third converted try. Ten minutes later Mark Eadie scored out wide following some good work from the pack.
The final points of the game were scored by Ophir whose committed pack were able to score from a rolling maul that commenced 25 metres out from Bann’s line. The try was converted leaving the final score at 26 – 7, a deserved win for a Bann team who look forward confidently to the second round.
