Corinthians secured a fine 22-14 win against high-flying Banbridge in Cloonacauneen Park on Saturday afternoon.
It was a significant win for Corinthians, who with only three wins in the AIB League division 2A, have moved away from the danger zone.
Outhalf Simon Keller opened the home's tally with a penalty from out wide, and when Banbridge lock Chris Bickerstaff was binned for foul play, Keller's fine touchfinder put his pack in scoring position. Taking full advantage, hooker Dylan Donnellan touched down in the corner.
Corinthians kept the pressure on with an excellent line-out where Colin Raftery and Lise Soloa dominated. It enabled front-foot ball for scrumhalf Stephen Kerins to got wide, and when captain Dave Panter cut through the Banbridge cover to touch down, with Keller adding the extras, Corinthians had built up a solid 15-0 lead.
Just before the break Banbridge number eight Steve Irvine scrambled in for a try after an excellent break through the home cover, and outhalf Andy Magrath added the extras to close the gap to 15 - 7 points at the break, but the Cloonacauneen outfit crossed for a third try when flanker Pat O'Toole side-stepped the defence, and Keller's conversion put them 22-7 in front.
Banbridge upped their game and were rewarded with a fine individual effort by second row Conor Allen, but it was not enough to stop a deserved home win.
Corinthians: R Keller, J Feeney, D Panter (capt ), C Evans, D McDermott, S Killer, S Kerins, C Joyce, D Donnellan, C Hansberry, J Campbell C Raftery, P O'Toole, S McCormack, L Soloa. Subs: A Bane, M Burke, S Connolly, G O'Connor, E Daly.
