Thompson penalty earns narrow win

Bann Seconds 18

HAVING tasted defeat in their two previous visits to Ballymacarn Park this season, when the home side got the upper hand in Junior and Towns’ Cup matches, Bann Seconds were anxious for a league win to maintain their recent impressive run.

The recent break from fixtures meant that Bann had to re-establish the momentum they had gained from their run of eight successive wins. An impressive team performance saw them extend that to nine wins at a venue where victories are scarce and hard won.

The tempo set from the start saw a lively Bann side continually use the wind as out-half Robin Thompson sent probing kicks deep into the home 22. ‘Hinch also showed their intention by keeping the ball in hand to make their way steadily up the field, but the Bann defence set their marker with solid and patient tackling, thus providing turnovers to relieve the line.

After a few attempts to penetrate the home line, the first score eventually came Bann’s way on 19 minutes. A series of controlled drives in midfield allowed the backs to inch forward ready to receive the ball. Scrum half Jeff Dodds released to Thompson, whose quick burst and cut inside drew the ‘Hinch cover away from winger Philip Morrison. Thompson’s inch-perfect pass allowed the winger to out-sprint the defence and score an unconverted try.

For the next 10 minutes Bann were under pressure from the lively ‘Hinch backline but time and again the defence quickly regrouped to stifle these attacks, winning turnover ball in the process. Poor decision making by ‘Hinch had also added to their downfall in these phases. This was in contrast to Bann, who again showed how to finish with five minutes left of the half.

This time it started from deep under their own posts when full back Stephen Cowan faced a one on one with an attacking ‘Hinch player. He took man and ball to set up the turnover, and then broke out of defence where the passing found Morrison again in space on the halfway line.After his initial burst, he sent a long chip over his opposite number. With lots of work still to do, he was able to beat his winger and also the second line of defence to touch down for his second score of the day. Thompson was off target with the conversion, leaving the half-time score 10-0 in Bann’s favour.

Bann started the second half in the knowledge that they should have been further ahead and also that they had to face an intermittent wind. However within five minutes they had notched up a third try, again originating in their own 22. Andy Brown caught the ball cleanly in the lineout and fed Dodds off the top. Slick passing across the backs saw them enter the ‘Hinch half at speed, and Morrison once again received the ball out wide. He sped into the 22 and cut inside where he found support in the form of centre Alan Gibson who showed his strength in crossing the line. Thompson was gain off- target in the swirling wind, but Bann had moved on to 15-0.

This seemed to waken the home side up, and five minutes later they used their powerful drive off a lineout to great effect to cross for an unconverted try, reducing the score to 15-5.

Bann responded again and a powerful burst by centre James Andrews saw him bring the visitors deep into the Hinch “22”. The Bann pack were quick to support, but a harsh penalty allowed the home side to clear the danger.

Further penalties allowed ‘Hinch to again set up their driving maul off the lineouts. Although Bann did exceptionally well in holding up one drive, the subsequent lineout saw the ball move out wide. The initial scrambled defence held the home side out, but they had support in this planned move to crash over for a try under the posts. The conversion meant that Hinch were now just three points adrift with 15 minutes to go.

Now sniffing victory and with their tails up, ‘Hinch used the wind to get into the Bann 22, but time and again the gritty Rifle Park men stopped the advancing home team. With just six minutes left on the clock, ‘Hinch set up another driving maul to again cross the line, for the unconverted try that saw them take the lead by 17-15.

The elation and celebrations of the home supporters, as well as their players, seemed to spur Bann into one final attack. From the kick off, Bann were quickly under the ball, forcing the catcher to knock on. Usually a scrum would have been a sound base for attack, but Bann showed eagerness as they played the advantage to full effect, forcing ‘Hinch to concede the full penalty.

Thompson duly stepped up and judged the increasing wind to perfection to put Bann back in front. It was Bann who now showed how to shut the game down, by controlling possession for the remaining three minutes.