Andrews grabs winner for Seconds over Hinch Share
BANBRIDGE 2NDs 10 Ballynahinch 2nds 3January 14, 2012
Bann Seconds entertained Ballynahinch Seconds at Rifle Park in a League match on Saturday, hoping to get back on track after their last outing, a disappointing defeat at Instonians. With victories against ‘Hinch scarce, and fielding yet again a changed side, Bann would have expected another hard day. This it turned out to be, but with a different outcome, as they recorded a narrow but deserved win. Scrum half Craig Mulholland was marshalling the link to the backs to good effect, allowing John Ferris to release centre James Andrews time and again. The burly No 12 was keen to be involved in every move and his powerful running repeatedly punched holes in the ‘Hinch defence. It was no surprise therefore, when he opened the scoring three minutes before the interval. Adam Waugh had chased and charged down a kick deep in the visitors "22", the resultant lineout was stolen by Jordan who set his forwards driving at the line. Andrews drifted into the blind side slot and then took Mullholland's pass to twist and spin out of three attempted tackles before touching down. Clark McAllister's great conversion gave Bann a seven point lead which was reduced to four when ‘Hinch struck over a penalty with the last kick of the half. Banbridge began the second half by gifting ‘Hinch possession before the game gradually settled into a midfield battle. ‘Hinch were also keen to involve their threequarters but the Bann defence was resolute. In the final quarter turnover ball began to open up the game, and one fantastic 45 metre break by McAllister saw him spill the ball under pressure just short of the line. However the centre extended his side's lead with a well-struck penalty a few minutes later.
The visitors started the brighter, but while Bann were starved of possession in the opening exchanges, their well-drilled defence was able to deal with anything that the opposition could throw at them. As Bann began to win a measure of possession they were looking the more dangerous as they were able to get closer to the whitewash in attack than their opponents. The set pieces were effective for Bann, but it was the loose play of the entire front row of James McCrum, Paul Ross and debutant Stuart Cromie that enabled their fellow forwards Philip Jordan, Sam Boyd and especially Bryan Curran to shine.
Bann were able to use the effective kicking of Waugh and Ferris to force ‘Hinch to attack from deep, a strategy which never looked like denting the Bann rearguard. Ferris created the opportunity for a second Bann try as the ‘Hinch defence bought a couple of dummy passes, but with the final pass going to ground the chance was gone.
The commitment and work-ethic shown by all fifteen Bann players laid the foundation for this win and although Ross and McCrum stood out in the forwards, the Man of the Match accolade went to James Andrews, not only the decisive try, but also for his powerhouse running, hard tackling and movement throughout.