U14s BATTLE THEIR WAY INTO CUP FINAL
Carrick  0  BANBRIDGE Under 14s 20
April 18, 2009

Bann U-14s, sponsored by The Leader, battled their way through to the final of the Ulster Cup for the first time in their history after scoring four tries without reply in Saturday’s semi-final against Carrick.

In perfect weather conditions Bann dominated the early exchanges with good inter-play between forwards and backs putting the visitors in a strong attacking position. When the Carrick out-half tried a clearance kick to relieve the pressure, flanker Neal Cochrane charged it down and followed up to get Bann’s first try.

From the re-start No 8 Jonny McCreery collected the ball and with support from the rest of the pack provided a stable platform for out-half Ryan Graham to pin Carrick in their “22” with some precision kicking. After sustained Bann pressure a second score was added when captain McCreery was stopped inches from the line and prop Thomas Carlisle was on hand to cross the line. Carrick could not cope with excellent tackling and pressure being applied by the whole Bann team and were relieved to reach half-time just 10 points in arrears.

Bann continued in the same vein during the second period, and with both forwards and backs working in tandem further scores were inevitable. It was man-of-the-match McCreery who grabbed the two second half tries.

Bann maintained their composure when Carrick had a player sent off in the closing minutes and now begin preparations for that big day at Ulster rugby HQ on 9th May, when Malone will provide the opposition.

The Bann team was:- Macauley Little, Steven Ruddock, Andrew Sleator, William Baird, Kyle McConnell, Ryan Graham, Josh Coyle, Thomas Carlisle, Jack Kearns, Matthew Beck, Jason Lamont, Adam Kelly, Ben Cross, Neal Cochrane, Jonny McCreery (Capt). Replacements:- Adam Copes, Josh Graham.