U15s get off to the best possible start

Malone U15s 24

BANBRIDGE U15's league season commenced with a home game against Malone who have won the league and cup for the past two seasons.

Bann edged the early exchanges and deservedly took the lead through an Adam Copes try after some excellent rucking from the forwards.

From the re-start Bann made good ground through centres Cameron Cromie and James Waugh. This was followed by some excellent inter-play between the forwards and backs which ended with Matthew Beck driving over the try line from close range. Cromie was successful with the conversion.

However the 12-0 lead was short lived as Malone struck back with a well worked try in the corner. This stung Bann back into action and after sustained pressure Beck drove over again for a well worked try with Cromie adding the extras.

Again Bann went to sleep just after the score and sloppy defensive work allowed the strong running Malone backs to produce a second try. The ping-pong rugby continued with Alexander Megaw scoring an excellent try to leave his side 24-10 ahead at the break.

The second half started with Bann again on the attack and with some excellent service from Keelan McCambridge at scrum half, Josh Cromie’s tidy distribution saw Cromie and Waugh break tackles and gain ground.

Waugh scored an excellent long-range try leaving several Malone defenders in his wake. To round off Bann's scoring the impressive David McElroy finished off a well worked move by the forwards.

Unfortunately having taken an unassailable lead at 34-10 the team relaxed and Malone took full advantage, adding two late converted tries to ease the pain of their defeat.

Nonetheless this was an excellent result for this young squad to defeat a Malone team whose club has an enviable record at all grades of youth rugby. But there is still a lot of work needed especially in defence if the team wants to build on this result.