Losing start to AIL season for Bann

IT wasn’t the start to the season that Banbridge had been hoping for – and working towards.

And there was no disguising the disappointment among players, coaches and supporters as they made their way northwards after Saturday’s opening day defeat at Barnhall.

The final kick of the game, the attempted conversion of replacement centre Jonny Little’s try, would have given the Co Down side a share of the points. And few of the home supporters would have denied that such a result would have been a fair reflection of the exchanges.

But Robin Thompson’s kick, as with an earlier penalty attempt from in front of the posts, was off target, leaving the losers with a single bonus point for their efforts.

Bann had the advantage of the slope in the first half, while Barnhall had a diagonal wind in their favour. The first scoring opportunity fell to the home side after Bann were penalised on their 10 metre line, with eight minutes played, for careless use of the boot. The ball rebounded off an upright but Barnhall were awarded the scrum from the melee that resulted.

No 8 Barry Dunne broke the gain-line from his pick-up and drive and after two re-cycles the same player drove over the line for the try, leaving Adam Hughes to add the conversion.

Bann began to enjoy some periods of play in opposition territory, but Thompson was wide with a penalty shot from wide out on the 22. Simon McKinstry was in the vanguard of a drive that took play close to the Barnhall line.

When the defenders were penalised, Bann took the scrum and Ashley Finlay broke through the defence, but with support slow to arrive Barnhall were able to clear the danger.

That pattern of play continued for much of the half, with Bann unable to break down the home defence despite hogging possession for long periods.

Barnhall increased their lead when Hughes kicked a penalty awarded in the opening exchanges of the second half. Thompson missed that gilt-edged chance before finally getting his side off the mark with a 52nd minute penalty.

Hughes showed his fallibility with a miss one minute later from a kickable position. On the hour Bann were awarded a five metre lineout. The catch and drive ploy was eventually thwarted illegally, earning a Barnhall defender a yellow card and Thompson another shot at goal which he converted.

But the home side’s seven point advantage was restored by Hughes’ third successful pot at goal. Going into the closing stages there was something of an air of desperation about Bann’s efforts as they fought to get back on level terms.

Play had moved into injury time when a sustained assault on the home line gave Little the chance to step inside his opposite number for the try that gave his team a chance of avoiding defeat.

But the form that had seen Thompson garner so many Ulster League points in the early-season games had deserted him for the afternoon and Bann were left to reflect on defeat to a side which is unlikely to challenge for one of the promotion places.

Neither will Bann on Saturday’s form, and it will take more than a return to kicking form by their out-half if they are to harbour realistic chances of competing against the better sides in Division Three of the All-Ireland League.

But there is time to improve and this Saturday’s home game to Connemara gives the squad the chance to show that they have the attacking skills to convert territory into tries. The Clifden outfit put in a creditable performance in going down 39-21 to the all-conquering City of Derry side in their opening game.

For Bann it’s a must-win game, especially with their match against Derry looming next in the AIL programme.