Banbridge Rugby Club - Northern Ireland

Alan Robinson's eighth minute penalty for the visitors was neutralised by a Clarke McAllister effort nine minutes later. But Portadown were enjoying the better of the early exchanges and when Bann knocked on at a lineout 15 metres out from their line, Portadown used the advantage to put Robinson in for a try, aided and abetted by some indifferent tackling. The burly centre, who was to prove his team's main attacking threat, converted his own touchdown to take his side 3-10 clear with 24 minutes played.

McAllister was off-target with a penalty attempt on the half hour but six minutes later Bann crossed for their first try. A neat grubber from Chris Craig forced Portadown to defend a lineout five metres out. Matthew Bird collected the loose ball at the tail and burst through the somnolent Portadown defence for the try. McAllister's conversion attempt drifted wide of the target but the Bann full-back found the mark with the last kick of the half to give his side a single point lead at the break.

Bann applied the early pressure at the start of the second half, forcing Portadown to defend a series of 5-metre scrums. From the last of these Andy Cowan picked up and fed Francois Viljoen down the narrow side. The out-half did well to get his pass away to Packie Downey and the winger showed impressive strength in forcing his way past three defenders to touch down one-handed for his side's second try.

That seemed to hand Bann the initiative but the opposition were far from being a spent force and Robinson's 40 metre penalty reduced the deficit to 16-13. There were only ten minutes left when McAllister slotted over a penalty from 27 metres range to stretch his side's lead to a still vulnerable six points.

But a late flurry of scoring took Bann well clear as they capitalised on their superior forward power. Prop Stuart Cromie was unfortunate that the referee was unsighted when he touched down from a ruck close to the line, but two minutes later Andrew Baird forced his way over for the third try.

Three minutes from time No 8 Sam Boyd scored in the same spot after he had enjoyed David Little's assistance in driving him over the try line. The conversion was missed but Bann were now 16 points clear. The winning margin might have been greater after lock Little intercepted just outside the "22" and set off on a sprint to the try line, only to be hauled down by the chasing Portadown defenders at the posts.

This was an encouraging win for Bann, just their second in what has been a difficult league campaign. Cromie worked hard in the tight and loose, Boyd's power caused problems for the Portadown defence and centre William Taylor's strength in the tackle won his side several turnover balls.

But the accolade of man-of-the-match must go to skipper Matthew Bird. The flanker gave another all-action performance, carrying ball to great effect as well as setting a great example with his rugged defending.