The 1st XI faced tough opposition today in the semi-final of the Sintons at the Bridge Burney Cup. Despite the most valiant of efforts from the Regent side Banbridge Academy emerged the victors winning 6-1. Thanks to the large crowd of spectators who came from the school today to support the 1st XI side in today's glorious sunshine.
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Blue skies and rainbows a plenty |
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There were a few homemade signs spotted |
Banbridge were sharp out of the blocks bringing high intensity and a fast paced start to the game. Indeed it was this pace that saw them take the lead after just 7 minutes with Ben Knox the scorer. Regent appeared to be stunned by this start to the game and conceded a penalty corner shortly afterwards, however Bryn Walker (Year 13) was there with a brilliant stop on the line to deny the Banbridge dragflicker from doubling the scoreline.
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Airhorn and vuvuzela in hand |
It took just three more minutes before the Bann side found the back of the net again with Robbie Scott calming tapping in behind his back an ambitious ball across the circle. However Regent continued to work hard and started to get themselves back into the game. Frazer Carnduff (Year 11) saved McKee's penalty corner effort and the tempo of the game seemed to slow as Regent were able maintain more of the ball. This was due to Peter McKibbin (Year 13) taking his usual commanding role at the back and also due to performance of Michael Orr showing he is a player for the big occasion.Orr was on hand to skillfully run the ball out from the back. McKibbin, the younger member of the centre back pairing, certainly did not shy away from the physical style of hockey played by Banbridge in the opening phases. .Indeed he seemed to relish it putting a number of strong tackles as the last man to stop the Academy attack. With Regent retaining more ball possession this centre back pairing were able to find the likes of Rowan Poots(Year 13) further up the pitch which became instrumental in creating more opportunities.
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McKibbin wins the ball from McKee along the baseline |
The first of these chances fell to Josh Gilmore (Year 12) who immediately halved the deficit, clinically blasting home a reverse leaving Glass no chance in the Bann goal. This lifted Regent and it was their turn to go on the offensive continuing to pressure the opposition defence.
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Josh Gilmore (r) celebrates his goal along with Jonny Linter |
This pressure was rewarded when Regent were awarded a penalty corner after Bann struck their own feet in the circle. Up stepped dragflicker Rowan Poots but Bann keeper Glass saved his flick to keep the score at 2-1.
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Rowan Poots lets rip with a dragflick |
Regent finished the half very strongly and the sides went into the break with the score remaining 2-1.
Bann again came out very strong at the beginning of the half and opened up a two goal lead after a Neville Clarke dragflick deflected over Carnduff's head and into the goal despite the defence's best effort to clear it. Both sides continued to battle and although Bann won another corner Carnduff saved it comfortably and McKibbin confidently cleared the rebound.
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Carnduff saves another Bann dragflick |
Regent cleared there lines and headed up the far end of the pitch where they won a number of successive short corners. The first of which was denied by a double save from the Bann keeper to deny Poot's dragflick and Toby Fynn's (Year 12) rebound effort however the ball got stuck in his pads and another short was awarded. Poot's dragflick struck the first runner resulting in the award of another penalty corner. From this resultant corner it took a fine diving save from Glass, deflecting the ball with his stick to deny Poot's from finding the scoresheet.
A piece of individual skill from Johnny McKee saw him beat a number of players before crashing the ball across the "d" with it this time coming off a Regent stick for an own goal. Both sides continued to trade attacks with both looking threatening. It was Bann's turn to win another penalty corner however Regent held firm with James Stewart (Year 13) taking the pacy flick off the line with ease.
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James Stewart clears his lines |
Regent saw another chance go a miss as a crash ball was agonisingly wide of the awaiting forward at the back post. Bann were quick to punish Regent for this with Jake Rowe finishing following a series of good build up play down the right hand side. Bann then added another just four minutes from time from Mark Campbell.
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Head Coach Mr Robb (r) and Assistant Coach Jordan McKee |
Credit to the Regent side for their "never say die" attitude that was showcased not only against Bangor but also today in the semi final aswell. It was this attitude and hard work that kept them in the game throughout and indeed as a number of spectators noted "it was a closer game than the score line reflects". I'm sure there will undoubtedly be some sore bodies in the morning as the squad gave it their all and congratulations are due to the boys on getting this far in the Burney Cup. There are the first Regent side to reach the semi finals since the McCullough Cup winning side of 2000. However for the young side this will be a learning process and will have provided invaluable experience that coupled with Mr. Robb's hard work in coaching should set them in good stead as they head to the Irish Schools next season and indeed for the Burney Cup again next
year.
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Burney Cup Semi-Finalists 2014 |