Academy bounce back to defeat Omagh

Banbridge Academy 15

BANBRIDGE Academy bounced back from their home defeat to Sullivan to deservedly take the spoils at Omagh, scoring three tries to a drop goal.

Winger Michael Ross raced in for the only score of the first half to reflect Bann’s slight edge in the exchanges.

As Omagh tried to keep play confined to the forwards, Banbridge were trying to play a more expansive game. But the Bann pack showed they were a match for the opposition, with a driving maul putting open-side flanker Andrew McConnell in for his side’s second try.

Banbridge defended well to keep their line intact but Omagh eventually got on the scoreboard thanks to that drop goal.

Bann sealed the win when No 8 Harry Russell forced his way over for a third unconverted try near the finish.

The Academy Second team were more convincing winners over their Omagh counterparts, registering a 33-5 success. There were tries from Andrew Herron, Blair McDonald, Carl Stirling, Chris Watt and Glenn Rowan, while Aaron Kennedy slotted over four conversions.

The Medallion team won 27-12 and the U-14s came out on top 43-7, thanks to tries from Ben Daly (4), Matthew Bell, Richard McNeill and Andrew Jackson, with four conversions from Ben Carson. The U13s just failed to make it a clean sweep, going down 7-5.