Bandon overcome PBC in school's rugby quarter-final tie to reach semi final next week

Bandon Grammar School 27 

PBC 7 

A power-packed performance saw Bandon Grammar School eliminate three-in-a-row Munster Schools Junior Cup champions PBC with a statement 20-point win at Virgin Media Park on Wednesday in their quarter final tie.

The Grammar secured their semi-final spot for the second year in a row by avenging their last-four defeat to the same opposition 12 months ago.

Jamie Hicks and Alex Bramoullé were among the scorers last spring and both registered tries here, with centre Hicks accumulating 12 points. Louis Dukelow and Christopher Woodland were the others to touch down.

By comparison, all of PBC’s scorers from last year’s semi are now starring on their Senior Cup side.

Bandon will travel to Fethard Town Park next Wednesday for their semi-final against Rockwell College (2.30pm kick-off), while CBC meet St Munchin’s at Thomond Park (2pm).

PBC had edged past Bandon to conclude the group stage last December but their unbeaten streak was ended by Munchin’s while the Grammar showed their progression throughout this quarter-final.

Savage defensive work by Matthew Buttimer and Isaac Wade earned Bandon their first attacking opportunity.

They kicked to the corner and unleashed a driving maul, which was collapsed before the line. Oscar McMahon ensured any subsequent Bandon drive was held up.

With no advantage, play was brought back for a tap-and-go penalty and on the fourth phase, Hicks burst over the line. The centre dusted himself down to add the conversion.

Pres capitalised on a couple of penalties to hit back within four minutes. 

They gained another advantage from their advancing maul and Odhran O’Keeffe’s abrasive carry brought him into contact with the post for a try. Captain David Nolan slotted the levelling conversion.

Bandon almost picked up on a handling error as Éanna Burke and Woodland fly hacked forward but the ball ran dead much to Pres’ relief.

The defending champions ramped up the pressure with strong running from Callum Harrington, Logan Robertson, and Harry Geary but Bandon stood firm as Hicks came up with a ruck turnover to see out the first half at 7-all.

It took Bandon just five minutes from the restart to vault 12 points clear.

Daniel Kent and Bramoullé created the opportunity for the first try and would later team up to finish off the second.

From the subsequent line-out, Pres’ robust maul defence initially held out but Dylan L’Estrange’s skip pass allowed full-back Louis Dukelow to dive under the posts.

Hicks had hardly slotted the conversion when Bandon stripped possession around halfway. Kent charged into the 22 before offloading for Bramoullé to reach the corner. As the rain teemed down, Hicks’ touchline conversion narrowly missed the target.

Bandon were exerting their powerful carriers in waves of attack and they moved 24-7 ahead by the 41st minute.

They built off a couple of scrums and Hicks made the half-break to send Woodland juggling the ball into the corner.

Hicks didn’t make the difficult conversion but added a closing penalty after good work by captain Mark Whelton, Buttimer, and Bobby Hayes.

Scorers: Bandon Grammar: Tries: J Hicks, L Dukelow, A Bramoullé, C Woodland; Cons: J Hicks 2; Pen: J Hicks. 

PBC: Try: O O’Keeffe; Con: D Nolan.

BANDON GRAMMAR SCHOOL: L Dukelow; C Woodland (J Keating 55), É Burke, J Hicks, A Bramoullé (J Gilsenan 55); J Hurley (B Canniffe 31), D L’Estrange (B O’Leary 60); D Burke (D Kingston 58), A Coleman (J Canniffe 60), B Hayes (D O’Herlihy 60); I Wade, M Whelton (capt); S Murphy (F McCarthy 60), D Kent, M Buttimer.

PBC: M McCarthy (P O’Sullivan 60); C Harrington (D Barry 39), D McSweeney (D Cross 60), H Geary (J Herrick 36), C O’Dowd; D Nolan (capt), G Hook (C Browne 9); B Lynch (D Buckley 60), O O’Keeffe (M Jezkovs 39), D Lim (S Sexton 57); S Byrd, O McMahon (D Kelleher 36); B O’Leary (J Murphy 42), L Robertson, R Dillon.

Referee: A Aherne (MAR).