Malone edge opening Ulster League encounter against Banbridge

Malone travelled to Rifle park to play Banbridge in their opening fixture of this years Ulster League.

The game was played on a great pitch, a warm evening with little meaningful wind.

It was the home side who made the better start their forwars won then plenty of ball and the backs were keen to run the ball at pace.

Banbridge took the early lead with ex Malone player Shandon Scott kicking two penalties on 10 and 19 minutes to give them a 6-0 lead

Malone got on the score board when full back Peter Henderson attacked up the left wing, he chipped the ball forward and collected is own kick and out paced the Banbridge defender to cross the line for an unconverted try to reduce the arrears to a single point.

Malone were not getting it all their own way at the set piece and the Banbridge pack showed well. At the breakdown Malone suffered a number of turn overs with low numbers and the Banbridge players mounted a number of attacks which may have resulted in scoring opportunities, however some stout Malone defensive work kept them out.

Malone went ahead on 35 minutes when they mounted an attack on the left wing and Jay Malcolm showed superb strength to power over the line taking a couple of Banbridge defender with him. Centre Mark Gribben was on target with the conversion to give Malone the lead by 6-12.

The lead was swapped some 5 minutes later when Banbridge centre Little crossed the line after receiving an inside pass from Shandon Scott to leave a fairly straightforward conversion, score now 13-12 at the end of the opening half.

The second half saw Malone up their game and they started to put pressure on the home defence, on 53 minutes following a line out the pack set up a rolling maul and as a collective took the ball over the line with hooker Darryl Maxwell touching down. Mark Gribben added a difficult conversion to regain the lead for the visitors by 13-19.

The home side always looked dangerous especially from broken play, but it was Malone who extended their lead on 58 minutes when mark Gribben kicked a penalty, to leave Malone ahead 13-22.

Malone were chasing a 4th try but it was the home side who had the last score to cross the line for an unconverted try to leave the final score 18-22.

Malone will be glad to get a win in their opening game but all credit to a very game banbridge team who caused them problems during the game. Plenty of work to be done before we meet reigning champions Ballynahinch at home next week