Corinthians blow away top table toppers Banbridge.

Corinthians secured a mighty home win against Banbridge on Saturday afternoon in Cloonacauneen Park. The Northerners traveled with high expectations of clinching division one status having eleven wins under their belt. The Cloonacauneen outfit were waiting for them in the tall grass and a gale force wind. Corinthians had the elements in their favour in the first half and they had a dream start as James Buckley who was out of action for a full season cut through the visitors defence.

Buckley was upended by the visitors fullback Adam Doherty. IRFU referee John Carvil blew for the infringement and outhalf Simon Keller slotted the ensuing penalty. Banbridge eventually got into the contest as their pack mauled into the home side twenty two. Corinthian’s loose head Colin Joyce was yellow carded for pulling the maul down. From the resulting penalty Bans outside center Andrew Morrison got in for an excellent touchdown. Out half Shandon Scott was unable to convert the extras. Some minutes later the home side were awarded a penalty after an infringement on the oppositions ten metre line. Keller slotted same to make it six points to five to Corinthians. With time running out and assisted by the gale force wind the home side eventually got in for their first touchdown. This came from excellent handling by the back line with centers Stuart Royal and Buckley very much to the fore. The Cloonacauneen outfit secured a lineout on the oppositions ten metre line. A great take by captain Colin Raftery from the ensuing throw and assisted by his partner Donnchadh Phelan scrambled over the try line. Keller was unable to convert the extras from out wide as the referee blew for the oranges.
The second half looked a daunting task for the home side with a eleven points to five lead playing into a gale force wind. Player coach Eneliko Fa’atau has instilled a great belief in this outfit and he leads by example. Banbridge attempted to up their game but loose kicking by Scott over the dead ball line as league leaders they were unable to control the oval ball allowing the home side to gain confidence. Midway through the second half flanker Sean Connolly latched on to a loose ball. He made excellent ground up field linking up with scrum half Greg Flaherty. The scrum half released to his winger Dave McDermott as he scooted in for a mighty touchdown. The convert was wide into a gale but it gave the home side some breathing space. Banbridge still had time on their side and they eventually broke through the Corinthian cover with scrum half Josh Cromie touching down out wide. The try was unconverted. Corinthians had the last say in the contest when hooker Pat O ‘Toole gathered the oval ball from loose play. He made excellent ground and linked up with fullback Dave Panter to touch down in the corner. Keller was wide with the convert but an excellent result for the blue black and white outfit. Final score Corinthians 21 points Banbridge 10 points. Fair play to Ene Fa’atau and Colin Raftery and the players and panel as they head for Queens for the final game of the season.