Bann Fours push Malone all the way in Plate final

It was a big occasion for the girls with several of the team playing in their first ever final.

Banbridge started the game strongly and immediately put pressure on the Malone defence with Andrea Harrower and Lynda McKinley both testing the Malone keeper early on.

Malone soon got over their initial nerves and began to settle into the game putting more pressure on the Bann defence however Jo-Anne Lyttle and Cathrine Reid ably dealt with any attack at the back.

Just before the end of the first half, Bann came under more pressure from the Malone forwards and an awkward bounce of the ball in the circle saw Malone scramble a goal to take the lead.

Malone grew in confidence and put considerable pressure on Bann but the defence held tight and dealt well with any threat.

Malone came out strong in the second half but Banbridge soon settled back into their game and began to take control. Julie Pollock and Joanne Berry made some great passes from the midfield and Andrea Harrower fought for everything in the circle. Rebecca Brown also came close to levelling the scores with a great shot from the edge of the circle which just went wide.

Bann won several corners towards the end of the second half and were unlucky not to convert to take the game to extra time. That meant that, on this occasion, the battling Banbridge Fours had to settle for the runners-up medals.

It was a fantastic effort from the whole squad ably led by Captain Lynda McKinley.

The season is now finished for the Ladies 4Fours but they should be proud of a great season and a top performance in the Plate Final.