Armagh3 v Banbridge 3 Match Report 12-10-2019

14 Oct 2019 by City of Armagh Rugby Club

City of Armagh 3rd’s 25 Banbridge 3rd’s 17

In a weekend of comebacks City of Armagh Thirds played their part with a spirited home win over Banbridge Thirds, recovering from being 10-0 down inside four minutes to secure their third win of the season and cement their place in Provincial League 2. Under influential captain Andrew Brady the Armagh side we’re taken almost by surprise by a strong Banbridge side that penetrated the Armagh defence twice in the opening minutes.
A pickup at the back of the scrum by James Morton, making a welcome return to the thirds, secured the ball for Armagh and led to a try for full-back Andrew Winder. The conversion by Andrew Knipe closed the gap to 7-10 only for Banbridge to strike back with a converted try to close the half on 7-17.
The second half started with Armagh facing down the opposition in every facet of the game. Ball control was better, tackling sharper and the defence prevented Banbridge from making any significant progress. Armagh’s second try came when Banbridge spilled the ball forward in a maul. Quick thinking Morton booted the ball forward for Knipe and Brady to follow with Brady touching down and Knipe adding the two points for 12-17. A penalty for not releasing secured another three points for Armagh further boosting team confidence. A try followed when scrum half Trevor Girvan kicked ahead for Winder to follow, collect and, despite the onrushing Banbridge defence, touch down in the right corner. Again Knipe added the points with a tremendous conversion from the touch line for a 22-17 lead. A comedy missed try opportunity followed when Brady attempted to catch an overhead kick which slipped from his grasp then lodged between his knees for a few paces and eventually went forward conceding a Banbridge scrum.
Spirits were high in the Armagh camp when another penalty was converted by Knipe taking the lead to a more comfortable eight points. That’s the way it remained until referee Lynsey Liggett blew the final whistle for a 25-17 home win.
Great credit must go to the Armagh pack; Neil Lutton, Adam Edgar, Paddy Chapman, Willie Martin, Jack Gilpin, Richard Shilliday, James Morton, Tim Henry and Kurtis Sherry & Connor Simms who came on as subs. Also to the back line of Trevor Girvan, Andrew Knipe, David Loughran, Matthew Allen, Andrew Brady, Dan Reynolds and Andrew Winder all of whom persevered until the match was in the bag. A great performance all round against a Banbridge side that offered the toughest challenge of the season so far.
The try scorers were Winder (2) and Brady with Knipe adding two conversions and two penalties.

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