U15s off to Ravenhill in Provincial Cup hunt

BANBRIDGE U15s travel to Ulster Rugby headquarters on Saturday to take on Malone in the final of the provincial cup.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Apr 2010, 11:48 BST
Updated 26th Apr 2010, 12:10 BST

For 10 of the players it will be their second chance at cup glory, having contested last season’s U14 final against the same opposition. The Belfast side came out on top on that occasion, but Bann’s performances en-route to this year’s final suggest that a different outcome is a real possibility.

The first round challenge of Omagh was comfortably seen off on the back of a 46-0 scoreline and they followed that up with a convincing 29-5 home win over Portadown.

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That set up a semi-final showdown at Rifle Park with a formidable Carrick side. When the visitors snatched two early tries to take a 12-0 lead it all looked ominous for Bann’s hopes of a second successive Ravenhill appearance.

But the young Bann team showed their fighting qualities, grabbing a try late in the first half before going on to dominate a second half in which they touched down three times to emerge as 29-12 winners.

Malone youth rugby has an impressive pedigree and this season they have produced Ulster finalists at both U-15 and U-17 level. The younger side representing Gibson Park this time around edged home in their semi-final at Ballynahinch on a 10-7 scoreline.

In last year’s final Bann dominated much of the first half before succumbing to three second half tries. If they are to prevail this time around, they know they must make the most of any scoring opportunities that come their way against what is quality opposition.

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Team coaches Alan Harvey and Dick Jennings have done a great job in steering their young charges to a final showdown for a second season. “We’ve a small squad but they’ve worked very hard all year”, said Harvey as he looked forward to the Ravenhill game. “They won’t be found lacking in spirit or endeavour. Half of the squad knows how it feels to lose a final and they are all determined to bring the cup back to Rifle Park this time around.”

Saturday’s game kicks off at Ravenhill at 12.15pm and any junior club supporters attending will be allowed in free if they are wearing a club jersey.