Six try romp for the U19s

City of Derry U19s 3

BANN U19s first home game since November ended in a six-try romp against a strong City of Derry team in the newly structured league.

The only change in the team from the Portadown win three days previously was Simon Adamson returning to his familiar centre berth.

After two early penalty shots had missed the target, City of Derry eventually went ahead on 15 minutes when their kicker found the mark. They got off their bus meaning business as they took play to the much fancied Bann team but the home side, well-marshalled by captain Sam Boyd, held firm with the defence standing up to the heavy Derry pack.

With early mistakes from both teams it wasn’t until 25 minutes into the game that the first try was scored as wing Matthew Copes sprinted down the blind-side to touch down in the corner. The tenacious Copes injured his shoulder in the grounding of the ball and was replaced by Matthew Quinn.

And it was Quinn who finished off a well-worked try after the pack had won quick ruck ball. It was fed to the backs who showed great pace and passing ability to score as good a try as Rifle Park has seen in recent years.

Two minutes later quick ruck ball was fed out to out-half Andrew Morrison. He popped the ball to Owen Gallagher who broke the gain line with a defence-splitting run to go under the posts and score in only his second ever Banbridge game. Mark Doherty converted.

The first half had been evenly matched until the final ten minutes when Bann ran in those three tries to give them a flattering 17-3 lead at the break.

Doherty scored his third try in two games shortly after the break when he sprinted in from 30 metres before adding the extra points. Not to be out done Owen Gallagher showed his class to score his second of the game after barging through a number of tackles. Doherty again slotted over the conversion.

After a lengthy stop to tend to an injured Derry player the Bann coaches emptied their subs bench to put on four U17 players with Jake Fisher and Chris Stevenson getting their debuts.

Wing Quinn rounded off a good game for himself and the team by getting his second and his team’s sixth of the day to leave the final score 36-3.

So after two league games Bann have maximum points, having scored 11 tries and conceded none.

The players and coaches of the U19’s send their congratulations to Jonny Murphy and Charles Gallagher who have been selected to play for Ireland at U18 level. This is a huge achievement for the players and also the club as only three players from Ulster made the cut for the tour to France.