18's STORM INTO SEMI-FINAL
BANBRIDGE Under 18s 42 Enniskillen  0 
April 4, 2009

Stephen Irvine breaks through for his score

The Gordon’s Chemist-sponsored Under 18’s comfortably booked their place in the semi-final of the Ulster U-18 (CE Bowman) Cup on Saturday with a seven try demolition of Enniskillen.

The home team, without Irish Under-18 hooker Jonny Murphy, started the game slowly and didn’t cross the line until 15 minutes in. Wing Simon Adamson scored in the corner to settle his team’s nerves and this was closely followed by a try from vice-captain Stephen Irvine who dived in at the corner, using his strength to stop being tackled into touch. He popped up again five minutes later to score his fifth try of the season.

Centre Chris Leathem scored his teams fourth try of the day and before the half-time whistle Mark Doherty had added a conversion and penalty kick to leave the score 25-0.

Shortly after the break flanker-turned lock Sam Boyd barged past four would be tacklers to score another try.

Ten minutes later centre Andrew Morrison scored another and Leathem added the extras. Adamson finished the game as he started it by scoring the final try of the day to take his total to 14 for the season. Prop Josh Neilly again showed why he is fast becoming a valuable member of this team. His tackling, support play and sheer strength laid a perfect platform for the team’s success.

There was more good news this week when wing Peter Irvine returned to training after three months out with a broken leg. The semi-final on Saturday 18 April will be against Omagh who beat Belfast Harlequins in their quarter-final. But the team’s focus now is on the quarter final of the Nutty Krust Tournament to be played this Wednesday (8th) at Chambers Park, with Rainey providing the opposition.

It takes four to stop Ross Semple

Richard Henning evades the tackle

Andrew Morrison looks for a gap

Jonny Weir on the charge for Bann