MOOREHEAD'S FIFTHS WIN IN MONAGHAN
Monaghan 3  10  BANBRIDGE 5THs 15
March 28, 2009

Bann Fifths travelled to Monaghan for their latest league fixture determined to make amends for the home defeat earlier in the season. Two players, Robert Buller and Dermot McElderry, made their debuts on either wing.

Monaghan won the toss and elected to play with a swirling wind, using this advantage to test the Bann defence in the first 10 minutes. Bann gradually forced their way out of their own half through some strong rucking with Mark Lewis and Graham Knox leading the way as usual. The visitors kept up the pressure and should have scored in the corner following a good break by the back line but the ball was knocked on a couple of metres short of the line.

The home side re-grouped and kicked their way back into the Bann “22”. The defensive line held thanks to some solid tackling but then a penalty was conceded for hands in the ruck. The attempt went wide but Monaghan continued to press and Bann again infringed at a ruck in front of the posts. The Monaghan out-half made no mistake with this second opportunity.

Bann finished the first half strongly, pinning Monaghan down on their line. An attempt to drive over from a lineout was initially halted by strong defending. The ball was recycled quickly to the half backs but the Monaghan threequarters had drifted offside, giving Bann an opportunity to level the score in the final play of the half through the boot of Mark Ferguson.

In the second half Bann used a combination of forward power and precision kicking by out-half Ferguson to keep the opposition on the back foot. The pressure eventually paid off after a series of pick and drives brought the pack to within a metre of the line. The ball was released to Ferguson who surged forward before a well-timed pass gave Robert Buller a debut try in the corner.

The conversion went wide but from the re-start Bann again drove forward with Andy Armstrong, Kris Campbell and Wayne Kerrigan all carrying the ball well. Bann were awarded a scrum inside the “22” in the middle of the park. After a surge from Knox the ball was released to Ferguson who crashed over beside the posts. The conversion was added to leave Bann 15-3 ahead.

In the last 10 minutes a lapse of concentration allowed a Monaghan centre to slip through the defence unchallenged and score under the posts. The conversion attempt was successful but Bann regained their composure to finish the match deep in the Monaghan “22” and claim the points.