Down High 21-20 Banbridge Academy
A resilient Down High side took to the field on Saturday and came away with a brilliant victory against an extremely strong Banbridge team.
Banbridge kicked off playing with a slight breeze which their out-half exploited by pinning Down into the corners. From a line-out inside their own 22” Alex Martin took a clean catch and started a rolling maul. Down High’s attacking intent was clear as the backs ran it from deep and outside centre Sam Leckey was able to break through tackles and run around Banbridge’s full-back to touch down under the posts for a brilliant individual try. Charlie Power added the easy extras.
Banbridge came straight back, after several picks up and drives, Peter Heaney eventually touched down, the score was 7-5. The tactics enforced by skipper, William Martin was to keep them deep in their own half and not to let them out. Down High won a scrum and brilliant play by Peter Davidson allowed Down to set up a ruck on the 22”, Michael Reynolds and Christopher Beattie made it to the five meter line and Banbridge were clearly slowing the ball down by going off their feet, the referee awarded a penalty which Martin took quickly and touched down in the corner, Power added the tricky conversion to end the half on a high.
In the second half Banbridge came out fighting. They parked the bus inside the Down High 22” and after several phases of play, number eight, Andrew Neil was able to shrug off a few tackles a score under the posts, they missed the resulting kick.
A long restart kept Banbridge in their own half but inside centre Luke Atkinson broke the line and drew Rowan McWilliams before shifting the ball to the winger to score, the score was now 14-15.
Spurred on by good support Down gave the best possible response; Charlie Power drilled the ball to touch. A scrappy line out resulted in Down’s hands and some good, quick passing from the back row allowed James McBride to touch down once for another good score, Power was on target again.
The whole team really stepped up. McBride, Morrison, Forbes and Ellison were at the heart of every ruck and holding up every maul. But they couldn’t hold out for much longer as the Down High backs were sucked in to the rucks, Banbridge spread it wide with numbers and scored in the corner to set up a tense finale. 21-20.
Banbridge were able to get possession inside the Down 22”. A try looked certain but a knock on gave Down High a scrum. The message was to get the ball up the field and Power gave the men in green relief as he booted the ball up to the visitor’s 10 metre line. Excellent chasing from Leckey, Baxter and Davidson meant that Down High had possession in their 22” and another kick put pressure on Banbridge’s full-back and winger. Banbridge knocked on and the whistle was blown, leaving Down High with a very good win.
A quick mention to Christopher Beattie, who has broken his nose. We wish him a speedy recovery.
BY CHARLIE POWER
A resilient Down High side took to the field on Saturday and came away with a brilliant victory against an extremely strong Banbridge team.
Banbridge kicked off playing with a slight breeze which their out-half exploited by pinning Down into the corners. From a line-out inside their own 22” Alex Martin took a clean catch and started a rolling maul. Down High’s attacking intent was clear as the backs ran it from deep and outside centre Sam Leckey was able to break through tackles and run around Banbridge’s full-back to touch down under the posts for a brilliant individual try. Charlie Power added the easy extras.
Banbridge came straight back, after several picks up and drives, Peter Heaney eventually touched down, the score was 7-5. The tactics enforced by skipper, William Martin was to keep them deep in their own half and not to let them out. Down High won a scrum and brilliant play by Peter Davidson allowed Down to set up a ruck on the 22”, Michael Reynolds and Christopher Beattie made it to the five meter line and Banbridge were clearly slowing the ball down by going off their feet, the referee awarded a penalty which Martin took quickly and touched down in the corner, Power added the tricky conversion to end the half on a high.
In the second half Banbridge came out fighting. They parked the bus inside the Down High 22” and after several phases of play, number eight, Andrew Neil was able to shrug off a few tackles a score under the posts, they missed the resulting kick.
A long restart kept Banbridge in their own half but inside centre Luke Atkinson broke the line and drew Rowan McWilliams before shifting the ball to the winger to score, the score was now 14-15.
Spurred on by good support Down gave the best possible response; Charlie Power drilled the ball to touch. A scrappy line out resulted in Down’s hands and some good, quick passing from the back row allowed James McBride to touch down once for another good score, Power was on target again.
The whole team really stepped up. McBride, Morrison, Forbes and Ellison were at the heart of every ruck and holding up every maul. But they couldn’t hold out for much longer as the Down High backs were sucked in to the rucks, Banbridge spread it wide with numbers and scored in the corner to set up a tense finale. 21-20.
Banbridge were able to get possession inside the Down 22”. A try looked certain but a knock on gave Down High a scrum. The message was to get the ball up the field and Power gave the men in green relief as he booted the ball up to the visitor’s 10 metre line. Excellent chasing from Leckey, Baxter and Davidson meant that Down High had possession in their 22” and another kick put pressure on Banbridge’s full-back and winger. Banbridge knocked on and the whistle was blown, leaving Down High with a very good win.
A quick mention to Christopher Beattie, who has broken his nose. We wish him a speedy recovery.
BY CHARLIE POWER
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