FIFTHS WIN COMFORTABLY AGAINST 'HINCH
BANBRIDGE 5THs 22 Ballynahinch 7  3 
March 7, 2009

Mark Ferguson passes the ball out

Bann 5ths hosted Ballynahinch 7ths on Saturday after a long absence of fixtures due to the Six Nations Championship. Bann elected to play into a moderate wind in the first half and immediately took the game to the ‘Hinch, driving up the field with some strong rucking from the pack and good interplay amongst the back line.

The pressure was sustained and paid off after 10 minutes when Bann were awarded a penalty 5 metres from the line, just to the left of the posts. No 8 Mark Irwin picked up and released to out-half Mark Ferguson who crashed over to score his first try of the day. The score was converted.

From the restart Bann continued to advance into the opposition territory and were rewarded with a penalty just inside the “22”. This was neatly stroked over by full-back Rob Moorhead. ‘Hinch regained their composure and gradually made their way into the Bann half. The defence held firm however ‘Hinch had two scoring opportunities when Bann players were penalised for infringements at rucks but both kicks went wide. It was third time lucky for ‘Hinch when they got onto the score sheet just before half time with another penalty, leaving the score 10-3 to the home side at the interval.

In the second half Bann continued to press through the pack. Paul Cairns took clean ball at a line-out just outside the “22” on the right side of the pitch and the pack surged forward. Kris Coleman released the ball to the half backs and Cairns popped up to make a galloping run, breaking several tackles before releasing to Mark Lewis. He made further hard yards before releasing to Coleman who touched down under the posts for a converted try.

Bann kept ‘Hinch pinned down in their own “22” and it was Ferguson who capitalised when he deftly intercepted a wayward pass and cut through the defence to score his second try of the day beside the posts. Moorhead added the conversion.

‘Hinch did not give up but just could not make any impact in Bann territory. This was a solid performance by Bann, with second row partners Cairns and Lewis both having strong games in the pack. In the backs Matt Livingstone made a robust return having recovered from a broken collar bone sustained earlier in the season.