U13's avenge defeat Share
Ballynahinch 12 BANBRIDGE U13s 15October 16, 2010
Bann's U13s went into this game looking to avenge the early season 17-7 home defeat at the hands of Ballynahinch. A few choice words from coach John Shannon seemed to spur the boys on. From the re-start the Bann pack put pressure on the home defence and this resulted in a knock-on. The ever improving Max Buller at scrum-half fed the ball quickly to his backs and Jordan Cairns came into the line to outstrip the home defence and score the perfect full-back's try in the corner. ‘Hinch came back at Bann and after they had taken a couple of scrums against the head Josh Chambers was moved to hooker for the visitors. This steadied the scrum up but the pack was still being continually rucked off the ball by the heavier ‘Hinch eight. The big ‘Hinch centre pairing weren't making much ground with the big hits coming from their opposite numbers Charlie Jones and Dubem. However when the home side's No 8 broke blind again from a set scrum he found the gap to go through for his second try. The second half was much more of a ding-dong battle with both sides having threatening runs. ‘Hinch should have extended their lead when their No 8 again found himself in space. He would have got his hat-trick only for the resilience of the superb Thompson tracking back and making the vital tackle to re-gain possession. With Samuel Mount and Jack Flanagan making the vital yards up front Bann were soon in the opposition "22" again with a line out. William Cousins gathered the ball up from the rear of the line- out and powered his way over the line, giving his side a first-time lead that they were not to relinquish. Up front Flanagan is proving much more effective, while Toby Baxter and William Cousins were superb. Buller is proving to be an excellent pivot between the forward and back units, with the centre pairing of Jones and Dubem and full back Cairns the pick of the backs. Man-of-the-match must go to the brilliant Ben Thompson whose ferocious tackling saved the team on numerous occasions while his decision-making at out-half led to two scores.
On a morning made for rugby Bann started the game well but immediately ‘Hinch showed the visitors that their defence was going to be very busy. Bann started missing a few tackles and were soon a converted try down when the ‘Hinch No 8 took the ball blind knowing the Bann defence was exposed. He was even able to run in under the posts behind the defence with only William Cousins in pursuit, leaving the conversion a formality.
Bann gathered themselves up and with pack leader Alistair McDowell and captain Ben Thompson leading by example Bann were soon back in the ‘Hinch "22". Quick ball again from Buller saw Thompson miss out his first centre and flash the ball to Dubem who took three tacklers with him and crashed over the line for the five pointer, leaving Bann just 12-10 in arrears.
Bann gave away three penalties in quick succession due to not understanding the off-side rule and this resulted in them losing 80 metres. The momentum was with the ‘Hinch boys who kept the ball in the tight five and tried to maul their way over the line but great work from Chambers and Cousins ensured they didn't succeed. The ball fell loose and Buller hoofed the ball into touch for the final whistle.
This was a great result for the boys, avenging the early season defeat, although it is clear there is hard work to be done on the training pitch.
Training continues on Wednesday nights from 7. Any boys with a 1998 birthday will be made more than welcome.