BALLYNAHINCH 26 BANBRIDGE 10
With All-Ireland League rugby taking a back seat on Saturday, Banbridge once again travelled to face Ballynahinch, this time in the Ulster League. With the Senior Cup drubbing five weeks previously fresh in the players’ minds, the game offered Bann an opportunity to restore pride and the possibility of over-turning a Ballynahinch side that is yet to be defeated in league competition this season.
Both teams were understrength. The home side had several players on representative duty while Bann were missing a number of players from the squad that had secured a bonus point win at Wanderers the week before. Paul Ross came in at hooker in place of Jonny Murphy who was on Ulster Ravens duty, while prop Colin Bickerstaff was forced into a late cry-off with a leg injury. In the back row, the unavailable Ryan Patterson was replaced by Jonny Gibson, while Shandon Scott started at scrum half after Neville Farr sustained a knee ligament injury in Dublin.
Robin Thompson had an opportunity to register a score after only two minutes when Bann were awarded a penalty following positive forward runs from lock Simon McKinstry and prop Michael Cromie. However the outhalf’s effort fell wide of the posts.
Despite enjoying good territory and possession in the opening period that followed, Bann were unable to make a breakthrough and instead it was the home side that opened the scoring.
After a quarter of an hour ‘Hinch out-half Ryan Bambry stepped inside his opposite man to break through the Bann defence before feeding centre James Thompson who had a clear run to the line. Bambry converted to give ‘Hinch a 7-0 lead.
Robin Thompson closed the gap to four points with a penalty kick midway through the half. Good work at the breakdown from Bann full-back Ben Purvis allowed Brian Hanna to effect a turnover and feed scrum half Shandon Scott. Scott broke down the blindside to take play from the half-way line into the Hinch “22”. The supporting Cromie was tackled without the ball and Bann were duly awarded a penalty which Thompson slotted over.
‘Hinch widened the gap between the two sides on the half hour mark. A series of five metre scrums had failed to elicit a score for the home side with the Bann pack continually frustrating their efforts. However, when the ball was moved wide, Adam Craig found space to race in for a try which Bambry converted.
Banbridge replied with a try of their own five minutes before the interval. Cromie, Ross and wing forward Mark Wilson all made good ground to take play deep into the ‘Hinch “22”. Bann looked to have squandered a good scoring opportunity when the ball squirted out the side of a ruck and was recovered by the home side. However good counter-rucking allowed Bann to regain possession and Thompson was able to find a gap in the ‘Hinch defence to race under the posts for a well deserved score. The out-half converted his own try to once again reduce the gap to four points at 14-10.
Thompson had an opportunity to bring the scores to within a point when he had another kick at goal midway through the second half. Bann were awarded a penalty after the referee adjudged a number of retreating defenders to have been interfering in an offside position. However the out-half was off the mark with the difficult attempt.
With fifteen minutes remaining ‘Hinch increased their lead when replacement David Drake exploited an overlap out wide with the Bann defence stretched. Bambry converted to give the home side a 21-10 lead.
Dale Carson came close to scoring late on when he broke clear of the ‘Hinch defence after an initial Chris Allen break. However the Bann No 8 was eventually brought down metres short of the line. Bann continued to press for a score in the final minutes, but the ‘Hinch defence held firm.
When the home side worked their way into the Bann half, scrum half Scott was forced to watch the last play of the match from the sideline when he received a yellow card for a deliberate knock on with ‘Hinch pressing for a bonus point score.
And ‘Hinch made the extra man count in the final play, scoring the all important fourth try with Craig once again getting the touchdown. Bambry pushed the conversion wide to leave the final score 26-10 in the home side’s favour.
Banbridge will face another tough test when Sunday’s Well come to Rifle Park this Saturday, but will take plenty of positives from this performance going into the All-Ireland League fixture. The pack produced another impressive performance, while Purvis at full back again attacked with positive intent and to good effect at every opportunity.
Sunday’s Well sit one place below Banbridge in fifth position with both sides having won the same number of matches. A single point separated the sides in the same fixture last season as Bann held out for the win, and Saturday’s affair can be expected to be equally close. The match kicks off at 2.30pm at Rifle Park.
BALLYNAHINCH SECONDS 20 BANN SECONDS 3
Bann Seconds resumed their 2nd XV league campaign with a visit to a Ballynahinch team that had confidence in abundance after dumping Qualifying One leaders Cooke out of the Junior Cup the previous week.
The first 20 minutes was mainly spent within the Bann half with the defence holding firm as ‘Hinch attempted to break through. Out-half Andy Morrison showed his value in defence when he won the race to touch down ahead of the home team’s winger as they attempted to hack through for the score.
However, slack defence allowed the home side in for tries on 28 and 35 minutes and this changed the entire game as Bann now chased a 14 point deficit. The first try was conceded after two attacking lineouts were initially easily defended, but a rare mistake in the first time tackle allowed the ball to be spread to the opposite right wing for the score. The second try was conceded as Bann`s defence was breached by the ‘Hinch centre taking a well timed pass to score near the posts.
Bann were now chasing the game, although they were still getting into some good field positions, but a solitary unsuccessful penalty by Clarke McAllister just before the break was their only chance to reduce the arrears.
Bann commenced the second half in the knowledge that a quick score would bring them right back into it, and with a bit of luck that was missing in the first half going their way, they knew they were a match for ‘Hinch. However the home team pressed again from the re-start and put themselves 17-0 ahead on 47 minutes after Bann were caught offside when defending their “22”.
The next 10 minutes saw Bann show greater urgency, with some intelligent work by the pack producing the opportunities for the backline to take play to within 5 metres of the home line, but the ensuing attacking lineout was lost and ‘Hinch cleared.
This renewed confidence saw Bann again take the game to the home team with some impressive counter-rucking by the back row trio of Andy Baird, Andy Davidson and Bryan Curran assisted by pick and drives by Alan Conn. In this period of play, McAllister reduced the arrears to 17-3 with a well taken penalty, and then Morrison was unlucky to be held up and forced into touch after a flowing move which he started on the half way line after taking a quick tap and releasing the forwards.
However, Bann were dealt a cruel blow on 65 minutes as ‘Hinch seemed to realise the threat that the resurgent Bann were posing by slotting over a penalty to go 20-3 ahead to make the game very comfortable for them again. The visitors’ difficulties were then compounded when Andy Cowan received a yellow card for his team’s allegedly persistent off-side offences.
Although this effectively ended the contest, Morrison was still able to add to his man-of-the-match performance by producing a third try-saving tackle in the left corner before the whistle, this being on the back of some good incisive breaks and intelligent kicking when required.
Although the final score showed a 20-3 victory to ‘Hinch, Bann can take some pride in the knowledge that for long periods they more than held their own, especially in the forwards, but all too often, it was individual lack of concentration that cost points or field position after good work by others.
PORTADOWN FOURTHS 10 BANN FOURTHS 50
Bann Fourths travelled the short distance to face local opponents Portadown for this floodlit fixture last Firday night. No 8 Andy Brown returned from injury after recovering from a broken toe and out-half Scott Jardine also made his comeback after four weeks on the sideline with a knee injury.
Bann started the better of the two teams and looked more likely to get the first points. Portadown defended well but the pressure from Bann led to a penalty for off-side after 10 minutes that was successfully converted by Ali Lewis. Moments later Bann’s forwards turned over possession at a scrum and after two rucks Jardine burst through a couple of tackles to score. Lewis added the conversion.
Portadown came back into the match with some sustained pressure and a penalty just outside the Banbridge “22” gave them their first points.
The Bann lineout was solid with both Ben Martin and James Mathers winning their own ball comfortably and stealing Portadown’s with ease.
Brown made a break from 30 metres range and danced his way to the line. Not to out-done, prop Barney Mckevitt picked up a loose ball from 40 metres out to race through the backline and score. Both tries were converted.
On the stroke of half time, Martin picked up from the base of a ruck, spotted a gap in the defence and dashed 15 metres for a try. Lewis added the additional points to give his side a 3-31 lead at the break.
Portadown rallied after the interval and eventually broke through the Bann defence, with their centre racing in for what proved to be his side’s only try, as they were reduced to 14 men through the loss of an injured prop.
Bann again pushed forward and won a penalty five metres out. Opting for the scrum, Kris Coleman picked up and fed a pass inside. Brown barged through three tackles to score close to the posts.
Portadown again pressed and had their fair share of possession but the Bann defence held firm. From another attacking scrum, Lewis out-foxed the opposition backline, then fed John Porter who set up Stephen Jackson to score.
The game was rounded off when Bann counter attacked from deep, Andy McCleane showing great pace to round the defence and score under the posts, with Brown drop kicking the conversion.
Overall this was another good performance both in attack and defence. With a solid set-piece and free-running backline this team is a match for any in the league.
BANN U-15s 26 BALLYNAHINCH U-15s 10
What a difference a week makes. For the first time this season Bann attacked from the off. The mobile forwards, playing an off-loading game varied the point of attack and had ‘Hinch in defensive mode. It was not long before the impressive Thomas McRoberts crashed over near the posts to score, Cameron Cromie adding the extras.
The forwards & backs were now combining well and after a period of sustained pressure Josh Chambers scored his first try at this level.
‘Hinch started to vary their game with well placed kicks but the outstanding Zac Chambers dealt with these comfortably and turned defence into attack.
James Waugh gathered a loose ball in mid field to scorch over for a well taken try and Cromie added a third conversion to leave the score 21-0 to Bann at half-time.
The second half saw ‘Hinch come more into the game through their impressive No 8 and it was not long before they scored a close range try to take the score to 21-5.
Bann playing a fifteen-man game made great ground especially through the outstanding Alexander Megaw. Bann also had the edge in the lineouts with David McElroy in control.
After quick ruck ball James Waugh was put in possession on the ‘Hinch ten metre line. He hit the after-burners and scorched in for the best try of the match. With the game effectively over ‘Hinch grabbed a consolation try to leave the final score 26-10 Bann’s favour.
This was an improved team performance with special mention for Lee Jackson and Jake Dennison at prop, Michael Moore playing his first game at out-half and finally winger William Wilson, who is improving with every game.
BANN U-13s 22 BALLYNAHINCH U-13s 10
For the third time this season Bann faced Ballynahinch and knew they would have a hard mornings work in front of them. Bann started the the game retaining their own kick off and through their forwards brought play deep into the Hinch 22. The Cousins twins, William and Alexander made a break from a ruck but with slow support Hinch turned it over. Hinch made good ground through their physical back row and play was brought into the Bann 22. The big Hinch center carried the ball wide and was taken into touch by his opposite number Charlie Jones. Hinch won the line out and bombarded the Bann try line. A tactical switch saw Matthew Jamison come on for his defensive abilities. Some great defending from the forwards, namely Chambers, Flanaghan and Baxter saw defence turn into attack through Ben Thompson and Jamison. The later dummied his way through the opposition defence and fed Josh Kinley who skinned his opposite winger to get into the Hinch half with only the full back left to tackle. Bann recycled the ball from left to right with precise passing and with Michael McGaffin receiving the ball wide he outstripped the defence to score in the corner. The conversion was missed.
The second half saw two of Banns big ball carrying forwards come on, Alistair McDowell and Samuel Mount. The experienced Jamison moved to scrum half and Max Buller to full back. The forward impact was instant with the Hinch defence being tested right through the middle. Josh Chambers carried the play five yards short of the line. Jamison fed his runners from the ruck twice then took his own opportunity and broke two tackles to score just left of the posts. Ben Thompson converted.
Bann where now playing with their heads up and constantly looking to off load to the supporting runners. Sheldon Savage, McDowell, Chambers and William Cousins where making the hard yards in the pack. Jamison fed Thompson who worked a training ground switch with Dubem Ajeh whose powerful running took him just short of the Hinch line. Jamison took the play blind quickly and scored his second in the corner. The try was unconverted.
The resulting kick off saw Hinch gather up the loose ball and once again test the Bann defence. Toby Baxter’s defence was once again superb constantly thwarting the Hinch attack. The Hinch fly half chipped the defence but great full back play from Buller saw defence turned into attack with a darting run through the middle. He fed Savage who used his power to make 20 yards shrugging of several defenders before being taken into touch in the Hinch 22. Bann knew this was the last play so went all out to challenge the line out. The ball went loose and Jamison reacted quickest to feed Savage who once again carried three defenders with him and crashed over the line to score. This went unconverted.
This was a great result against a very good side who have already beat us this season. The power up front with Chambers, McDowell and Cousins where the pick of a hard working pack. In the backs once again Ben Thompson constantly punches above his weight in attack and defence along with Michael McGaffin where the pick.
Best of all on the day where the industrious Matthew Jamison who can easily fit into any position required capped of with a brace of tries along with Sheldon Savage who made the hard telling runs to break down and suck in the defence leaving space for his team mates also capped off with a try.
Training continues on Wednesday night from 7 to 8.30 for all 1998 birthdays.
Team- Jordan Cairns, Josh Kinley, Charlie Jones, Dubem Ajeh, Michael McGaffin, Ben Thompson, Max Buller, William Cousins, Toby Baxter, Jack Flanaghan, Alexander Cousins, Matthew McClellend, Matthew Blain, Josh Chambers, Sheldon Savage, Alistair McDowell, Samuel Mount and Matthew Jamison.
