Malone win well away to Banbridge 2

Report courtesy of George Millar

Kukri Conference League Div 1; Malone seconds 39 Banbridge seconds 12.

With the abandoned Junior Cup quarter final scheduled to be played at Chambers Park against Portadown next Saturday 4th November it was an opportunity for Manager Davy Heron to rest several players despite late changes to the 1st xv. A number of injured and unavailable players including Tom Dullage, Daryl Maxwell, Phil Lucas, Neil Alcorn, Callum Jeffrey, Brendan Kearney, James Rea, Bruce Duff, Dean Hewitt and James McAllister were included in the squad for the second xv game at Banbridge. Malone were leading 22 – 3 at Portadown when their game had to be abandoned last Sat. Banbridge seconds lost their game in the Junior Cup 22 – 6 at Ballymoney.

Malone led 12 – 0 at halftime against Banbridge seconds courtesy of tries from Jack McMurtry and Ryan Spence with Callum Jeffrey converting one. The second half belonged to Malone as they ran in a further five tries through Daryl Maxwell, Conor Kelly, Ryan Spence for his second, Callum Harkin and Bruce Duff who also converted one. This performance was built on a strong defence that was disappointed to concede a late try to the home side. Changes during the second half included Jack McMurtry going into scrum half for the final 20 mins with Dean Hewitt coming on along with James McAllister returning from injury and Neil Alcorn moving to the wing.
Grosvenor remain leaders in Conference Div 2 one point ahead of Malone seconds who have a game in hand. First up for Davy Heron, Sam McBurney and Harry McMurtry and their players is this crucial game at Chambers Park. It is unfortunate the game could not have been played on the 11th November with both teams now having a free date. Malone were due to play Omagh seconds and Portadown to play Ballynahinch seconds next Sat 4th November in the Conference league. Both these games have had to be postponed. Portadown were surprisingly beaten 35 -12 at Ballina on Sat in the 1st round of the All Ireland Junior Cup. If they had made it through the 2nd Rd was to be played on Sat 11th November.

Second xv Manager Davy Heron will be able to add Jonny Ogilby, Lee Barlow, Aaron McKechnie, Stuart Doddington and Jack Knox to his squad for Portadown. Injuries and unavailability on the 1st xv will determine the squad that travels to Chambers Park.

Malone seconds team : 1. Chris Griffiths, 2. Connor Kelly, 3. Ricky Greenwood (Captain), 4. Tom Dullage, 5. Tiarnon Dillon, 6. Daryl Maxwell, 7. Phil Lucas, 8. Neil Alcorn, 9. Callum Harkin, 10. Callum Jeffrey, 11. Brendan Kearney, 12. Jack McMurtry, 13. Ryan Spence, 14. James Rae, 15. Bruce Duff, 16. Dean Hewitt, 17. James McAllister.

The teams need your support. Please make every effort to get along to either Gibson Park or Chambers Park next Sat. Your support will be appreciated.