Banbridge Rugby Club - Northern Ireland

Bann stepped up to take the kick-off looking undaunted by the huge size of several of the Letterkenny players. The visitors fielded the kick and with Bann slow in pursuit they decided to take on the pack. They quickly fed their speedy winger who ran blind to score in the corner.

Once again from the re-start Letterkenny took on the Bann pack who were looking weary already. Almost immediately they were another try down when the same winger was able to run down the same wing, only this time with no-one in pursuit he was able to score under the posts.

Some stern words from the coaches behind the posts seemed to spur the boys on. From Ben Thompson's re-start, Toby Baxter put that much pressure on the Letterkenny lock forward that he knocked on. From the scrum Thompson got his backline moving and Dubem Ajeh was able to power his way into the opposition "22". The ball was quickly recycled blind and some slick passing saw Jamie Mullan fly down the wing to the try line only to be called back for a forward pass.

From the scrum Letterkenny sent the ball up for a Garryowen. The ball was caught by full-back Jordan Cairns who took on his opposite number with a fine disregard for the size differential. He set the ball up and the impressive back row of Baxter, William Cousins and the ever-improving Jack Flanagan went on a pick and drive and brought play back into the opposition half. Max Buller released his backs again and winger Josh Kinley took on and easily rounded and handed off three of the opposition backs only to be bundled into touch two metres short of the try line, leaving Bann facing a 0-17 interval deficit.

The second half was a similar affair with Letterkenny taking the route one approach by using their big tight-head prop to great effect as it often took three or four tacklers to stop him. From one such drive the flanker peeled off a ruck to score to the right of the posts.

Bann retained their kick from the restart and Samuel Mount, who with Josh Chambers was proving to be the muscle in the Bann pack, drove the ball towards the opposition "22". Unfortunately the possession was kicked away and straight to the tallest man on the pitch, the Letterkenny full back. He stretched his legs and was quickly in the Bann half. A great tackle from Ajeh saw him stopped in his tracks but for the first time the Letterkenny back row reached the breakdown first and their mobile blindside flanker again found himself on the scoring sheet.

The final five minutes saw Bann encamped in the Letterkenny "22". Some very hard work through the whole pack saw Bann cross the line twice only to be held up and the second time the referee didn't have a clear view when Chambers had grounded.

The boys need not be too disappointed by this result. The scoreline certainly doesn't reflect the possession or the hard work than Bann put in.

There were some excellent performances right through the side. Thompson was in his usual superb form along with Cairns and debutant Mullan who in his first outing at 15-man rugby had an excellent game in attack and defence.

The back row of Baxter, Cousins and Flanagan covered every inch of the park and along with Matthew Blain took on the opposition at every opportunity. For sheer power, grit and determination the best man in a Bann shirt on the day was Chambers who undoubtedly should have been rewarded with a try right at the death.

Training continues on Wednesday nights from 7 to 8.30pm at Rifle Park. Extra training for conditioning continues on Mondays from 7.30 to 8.30 at Banbridge ABC. Thanks must go to the official referee and especially the superb support the boys had from the sidelines.

Team. Matthew Blain, Josh Chambers, Alexander Cousins, Alistair McDowell, Samuel Mount, Toby Baxter, William Cousins, Jack Flanagan, Max Buller, Ben Thompson, Charlie Jones, Dubem Ajeh, Josh Kinley, Jamie Mullan, Jordan Cairns, Matthew McClellend.