Ferris brace helps Seconds to comfortable win    Share

BANBRIDGE 2NDs 31 Queens 2nds 0

October 22, 2011

Bann enjoyed the wind in the first half of this league game, and from the off they pressurised the visitors, most notably through James Mathers who stole many of the visitors' line-out balls, and maintained this throughout the game. The scrum was also functioning steadily, and it was only handling errors that halted attacks. The first points did arrive after only 6 minutes when prop Jonny Weir burst through the defence on the half way line and made 30 metres before off-loading to Mathers. The lock linked with Sam Boyd, who was able to keep the movement going by feeding John Ferris and the out-half dummied to pass before running in from 15 metres. Clarke McAllister added the conversion for a 7-0 lead.


Bann had the edge in most facets of the game, but frustratingly, they allowed Queen's the opportunity to relieve their line by poor handling, albeit after initially going through many phases. They then opted to keep the scoreboard ticking over when McAllister slotted over a penalty after 20 minutes. Ferris and full back Adam Waugh continued to play the territory game with perfect line kicks keeping Queen's pinned in their "22".


Strong running in the next 10 minutes by the entire pack, especially Bryan Curran, Paul Ross and Weir kept the team on the front foot, and half-backs Craig Mulholland and Ferris continually asked questions. After a maul had been driven over 20 metres, Mulholland quickly released the backs, where Bann had bolstered their attack with some forwards. Lee Allen took a pass at speed and showed great strength to charge through for the touchdown. McAllister's conversion moved the interval score on to 17-0.


The second half saw Bann play a more confident and measured game, unfortunately without Waugh, who had been reduced to playing a vocal role due to injury.


For the first 15 minutes Bann played a tight game into the wind to gain good territory, with Mulholland cleverly mixing the distribution to the backs. This pressure eventually told when Ferris made a break from half-way to go deep into the "22" where his forwards took over. Re-cycled ball was spun out to Ferris again, who then sold another dummy to race in for his second try. McAllister added the extras.


With 10 minutes to go Bann scored their fourth and final try through their workmanlike prop Nelson Shanks. Initial surges by Boyd and Curran had made great strides towards the line, where the forwards were in immediate support for Shanks to power over through a group of defenders from five metres. McAllister maintained his 100% kicking record into the strong wind.


Many players featured well in the game, with Weir, Boyd and especially Curran in the pack. Mulholland was always in the thick of any attack as was centre Stevie Cowan, but overall the top performance both in attack and defence came from Man-of-the-Match John Ferris.


 

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