Scratch 15s win ahead of league play-offs    Share

Malone  17 BANBRIDGE U15s 22

February 4, 2012

With League play-off status already assured Bann U-15s travelled to Gibson Park with no less than 10 regulars missing for a variety of reasons. After some frantic Saturday morning calls 15 players were able to take the field.

Malone started the stronger on the muddy but some great defence in the middle of the park from Jordan Mullan and Josh Cromie kept them at bay. After a couple of pick and goes Malone's No 8 ran in for the opening score.


Eager to get back into the game Bann's experienced players came to the fore. Cromie made a break in the Malone "22" and fended of three tacklers to level the scores. Hard work in the ruck from Jack Flanagan, Matthew Taylor and Ben Reid was making it difficult for Malone to get good possesion. Captain Ross Haughey turned over another ruck and quick ball to Jason Jardine saw him crash over for the try that gave his side a 10-5 interval lead.


Bann started the first half as they ended the first with Cromie pulling all the strings at the base of the rucks and scrums. He took quick ball and drew in two defenders and quick ball through Mullan allowed Jardine time to round his opponent to bring the score to 17-5.


Malone with a good home crowd cheering them on got themselves back in the Bann "22". Haughey turned over another ruck but a loose pass from Bann allowed the opposition's tricky centre to get the converted score.


Bann went on the attack again and good passing between Wayne McCurry, Willie Wilson and full back James Curry got Bann back into the Malone half. Cromie got quick recycled ball and was able to side step his way over the line.

Malone came again but some great defending by Jake Dennison and Robin Hewitt initially kept them at bay. However their big No 8 got the ball at speed and crashed over for the final score of what was one of the most enjoyable games of the season so far.


All in all this was a super performance from the Rifle Park lads. With many boys enjoying more game time than they've been used to, they stepped up to the mark to give the coaches some selection options. The experience of Josh Cromie and Ross Haughey kept the forwards and backs organised. Every one of the Bann boys fronted up to the task in hand and they can all be extremely proud of themselves.

In a tight call with Cromie and Haughey for man-of-the-match was Jason Jardine who has a direct style of rugby that is invaluable to the team and saw him score his fifteenth try of the season.

Training continues on Monday and Wednesday nights from 7pm-8-30. It is essential that we have a good turnout so that everyone is aware of what we need to be doing as we enter league play-offs in February and the Ulster Youth cup in March.


 

Share