Backs to the fore as U17s get off to a winning start

MALONE U-17s 31

Bann’s Under 17s got their season off to a winning start, winning this friendly against Malone with rather more ease than the score would suggest.

The visitors kicked off the scoring with a 5th minute unconverted try but Bann’s response was immediate, with centre Adam Reaney handing off three defenders on a 50 metre run to the try line. Out-half Alex Walker burst through the Malone defence on the “22”, converting his try for good measure.

With the game fluid it was no surprise when Malone picked up their second try with the conversion levelling the scores.

But Bann dominated for the remainder of the half with Reaney completing his hat-trick and in between Walker adding and converting his second try to extend the lead to 29-12.

Reaney made it a dream debut when he picked up his fourth try early in the second half and winger Curtis Jackson raced from his own “22” for the team’s seventh touchdown, with Walker converting.

The introduction of replacements had an unsettling effect on the team’s rhythm and Malone hit back with three scores in the last quarter hour to bring their try tally to five, a respectable return from a game which was a useful exercise for both teams in the build-up to league action.

Although the Bann backs picked up all the team’s points, the coaches were more than pleased with a pack of forwards who were effective at the set piece and hard-working around the pitch.