Lewis's Fourths hammer local rivals Share
Portadown 4ths 10 BANBRIDGE 4THs 50November 19, 2010
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 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. 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.
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.
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.
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.