U18s WIN SETS UP NUTTY KRUST SEMI WITH 'HINCH
Rainey OB  10  BANBRIDGE Under 18s 33
April 8, 2009

The Gordon’s Chemist sponsored Under 18’s played Rainey on Wednesday night in the quarter final of the Nutty Crust. They were still without hooker Jonny Murphy who was in France representing Ireland U18s and centre Andrew Morrison. But they welcomed back winger Peter Irvine, who started the match from the bench.

Centre Chris Leathem opened the try scoring after only 3 minutes when Captain Andrew Kirkwood sent him through from 20 yards. Doherty added the conversion. Flanker Matthew Bird crossed the line 5 minutes later after some great work from hooker Jonny weir. Bird followed the run and was there for the timely off-load to score under the posts. Doherty again added the conversion.

Lack of discipline throughout the team gave the opposition a penalty within kicking range and Rainey slotted it over. And just before the half-time whistle Rainey drove over the line and scored a converted try to leave the scores 21-10.

Even with the lead the coaches where unhappy with the teams work-rate and indiscipline. The game plan was changed to take the big Rainey pack on up front and it gelled the team. With phase after phase the Bann pack got into the game and where able to unleash the backs with a bit more room to manoeuvre.

With 5 minutes to go man of the match Jonny Weir made another storming run and drove over the line to score with Doherty slotting over his 3rd conversion of the day.

In the final minutes Matthew Bird got his 2nd of the night to leave the final score 33-10.

The semi-final will be contested with rivals Ballynahinch who where crowned Ulster League Champions a month ago despite Bann finishing ahead of them in their respective group having defeated them twice. Those wins will mean the Banbridge team will be confident of getting the right result provided the team perform on the night.