CBC Claim The Bowen Shield

CBC came from behind to claim the Bowen Shield as they saw off the challenge of Bandon Grammar, who were appearing in their first decider, at Irish Independent Park.

CBC 23, Bandon Grammar 13

Playing with the wind, the West Cork side opened the scoring in the third minute when Evan Palmer slotted over a penalty form outside the Christians ten-metre line.

Christians played excellently against the elements and opened their account when Colin Sisk made a break deep inside his own half and Ronan Barry set up John O’Hea for a try in the corner on the 24^th minute. Robert Hedderman converted from a difficult angle.

Hedderman gave the Sydney Hill College an interval lead of 10-3 as he converted a penalty in stoppage time at the end of the first half.

Ben Gur brought Bandon within touching distance of CBC with a superb try in the corner following a run of five passes that started deep inside his own half, but Hedderman increased the margin with a penalty following the restart.

Eoghan Barrett scored Christians’ second try midway through the second half, following a break by Finn Burke outside the Bandon 22. Hedderman converted to increase the margin to leave 12 points between the sides.

Hedderman put the game beyond the West Cork side’s reach with his third penalty four minutes from time.

With the game effectively over as a contest, Bandon had the Sydney Hill College camped deep inside their own 22 well into stoppage time and Jan Donnelly barged over in the corner for a late consolation try.

Scorers: CBC: John O’Hea & Eoghan Barrett tries; Robert Hedderman 3 pens & 2 cons

Bandon Grammar: Ben Gur & Jan Donnelly tries; Evan Palmer pen

CBC: Ross Murphy; Sam Casey, John O’Hea, Eoghan Barrett, Damien Galvin; Robert Hedderman, Colin Sisk; Luke Masters, Daniel O’Connor, Robert Loftus; Mark Morton, Ronan Keogh; Ronan Barry, Finn Burke, Ben Roche.
Replacements: Patrick Kelleher, Edward Barrett, Luke Otter, Reece Lynch, Ruarai Casey, Louis Kahn, Sean Lynch, Conor Shalloe.

Bandon Grammar: Sean Hudson; Ben Gur, Jan Donnelly, Luke Fleming, Victor Lovell; Evan Palmer, Sam Malone; James French, Travis Coomey, Ashley Deane; David Perkinson, Jacob Lehane; Billy Hayes, Colin Deane, Robin Stokes.
Replacements: Jason Bradfield, Craig Pock, Cameron Blair, Ben Hodgins.

Referee: Paudie Sheehan (MAR)