DERBY REVENGE TASTES SWEET FOR 14s
BANBRIDGE Under 14s 14 Dromore  5 
January 17, 2009

Despite having to field without a number of regulars, Bann U-14s were still able to avenge their narrow defeat at Dromore earlier in the season.

Indeed the home side had to start the game with just 14 players, later being brought up to full strength by the arrival of Maxi players Josh Cromie and James Waugh, who came on in either half to play their part in a deserved win.

Bann took a seven point lead into the break, thanks to Ryan Graham’s try and conversion. But into a strong wind it looked inadequate against the well-drilled Barban Hill side whose only previous defeat this season had been at the hands of league leaders Ballynahinch.

When Dromore hauled back five points with an unconverted try an away win was very much on the cards. Then they just failed to take the lead when a penalty attempt drifted wide in the gusting wind.

But Bann fought their way back upfield, with Graham, Kyle McConnell and William Baird putting in strong runs. When Bann won a penalty 8 metres out from the line, the ball was moved to midfield where Baird found a chink in the Dromore defence to touch down under the posts. Graham added the conversion to put a two score gap between the sides.

This was possibly Bann’s best display of the season, with the intense defensive work negating most of Dromore’s attacking efforts. Andrew Sleator was in tremendous form at flanker, Macauley Little showed his versatility by slotting comfortably into the full-back position, but Baird edged the man-of-the-match accolade with an all-round performance, excelling both in defence and attack.

This completes Bann’s league programme, with the win ensuring a fourth place finish in the Ulster Premier League Zone A. Their next competitive outing will be in the Ulster Development Cup, with Cavan due to visit Rifle Park on a date still to be confirmed.