Banbridge kicked off their opening match of the Irwin’s Nusty Crust floodlit tournament against Lisburn just a few minutes after the scheduled 7.45. They were strong favourites going into the match and it was clear to see why. They dominated the opening minutes of the match, applying some good pressure while Lisburn were finding it difficult to clear their lines. The early unrelenting pressure had to tell and it inevitably did on the 10 minute mark when Chris Watt burst through the Lisburn ranks after some good passing for the first try of the evening. McCauley Little converted to reinforce Banbridge’s early lead.
From then on the floodgates opened. Great driving from Watt again led to his second of the night with Little’s conversion coming tantalisingly close; bouncing off the inside of the upright. Banbridge were on a roll and further tries from Adam Sterling and Jonathan Andrews plus a conversion from Little had Banbridge with a seemingly unassailable lead by the half way mark of the first half.
Lisburn held Banbridge for the next 10 minutes but always looked on the back foot. Last ditch tackles and clearances were simply exercises in holding back the tide. Sterling got his second of the night after he chased down his clever punt, to dive down for a great try right in the corner on the 25-minute mark. The pressure told again just a few minutes later. Great strength and determination from Aaron Larrisey found him between the posts leaving Little with an easy conversion.
Half Time Lisburn- 0 Banbridge – 36.
Lisburn brought us underway for the second half and showed early promise. Some good pressure made the opening few minutes a much more equally contested match. The pressure however just could not break the ranks of the much physically stronger Banbridge; they were giving everything for a matter of inches.
Despite the much more even affair Banbridge managed to break down the wing for Sterling’s third. Lisburn pressed throughout the opening of the second half but they had no way through Banbridge’s brick wall defences. A try from Ryan Dennison on the 25 minute mark and Larrisey’s second of the night finished Lisburn despite their tenacious attempts to break Banbridge for a consolation.
Lisburn were simply outclassed on the night by a much more physically strong and technically gifted Banbridge side who would have to be one of the hot favourites for the tournament. The game finished Lisburn – 0 Banbdrige – 51. McCaluey Little picked up the man of the match award for a strong performance throughout.
