The Bennettsbridge Intermediate team got back to serious business at the weekend after all the excitement of All Ireland success the previous week. Facing second placed St. Lactains in the final round of the Michael Lyng Motors league it was a case of who would be in the league final and who would be in the shield. Having played plenty of games recently the management had the full panel to choose from and made some changes from the recent teams lining out in the O’Byrne and Aylward Cup matches. The Bridge were first off the mark with a N Cleere pointed free and then a L Blanchfield strike before St. Lactains got off the mark with a wonderful line ball strike after six minutes. After 11 minutes the Bridge team were going along nicely picking off some nice scores but then within 3 minutes the Freshford men had the ball in the Bridge net on 2 occasions. When they hit a further 2 points they were now in control and looking good. The Bridge lads knew they were in a game and as we have often said before they do not panic and over the last 11 minutes of the half they kept the Saints scoreless while hitting 4 from dead balls and going in at half time just a single point down. The second half opened with both sides trading points before the Bridge lads began taking control and while St. Lactains did not keep their discipline, Nicky Cleere was making them pay every time with accurate free taking. The Bridge team also cut down on the number of wides in the second half and as the game entered the final stages they were the ones still full of running and stretching the lead. In the end the Bridge ran out convincing winners on a score of 0-21 to 2-9. The competition for places is hotting up and some people will be disappointed not to be starting but the panel strength is so important in todays game. Our Team was E Cleere, E Murphy, R Lennon, J Moran, E Morrissey, J Cleere, A Cleere, D Wafer, K Blanchfield, M Shiel, N Cleere(0-14 12 frees,1-65,1-Play), B Lannon(0-4), L Blanchfield(0-2), S Morrissey(0-1), K Brennan. Subs used. C Wafer, H O’Neill.