Banbridge Rugby Club - Northern Ireland

With just five minutes left on the clock the Co Down side were facing a nine point deficit. Visitors Sunday's Well already had their bonus point safely tucked away, thanks in part to some indifferent defence which allowed them to cross the Bann line four times. At that stage they were certainly anticipating taking the maximum haul on the long trip back to Cork, as Bann battled to take something out of the game.

But the visitors had success snatched from them as Bann ran in two converted tries, earning them five points and, with Seapoint's game postponed, a move up to third place in the league.

Bann certainly gave their supporters plenty of anxious moments, the first of those from the opening play of the game as Well counter-attacked to create a score for prop Jack Bransfield. Out-half Danny O'Shea missed the conversion but his 10th minute penalty increased his side's lead to 0-8, a scoreline which truly reflected the visitors' domination up to that point.

Jonny Pollock's strong run down the right flank created good field position for the home side and when Well were penalised Robin Thompson slotted over a penalty to open his side's account. It was now Bann's turn to enjoy a period of possession and pressure and the referee again penalised, and warned, the visitors for illegally denying Bann quick ruck ball, allowing Thompson to repeat the dose.

With Bann now playing with confidence, Shandon Scott's electrifying break off the base of a ruck in the 18th minute took play inside the Well "22". This time there was no interference with the re-cycle and three long passes saw the ball move from right to left flank where Stephen Cowan finished off with a try.

As the Bann scrum began to create problems for the opposition a prolonged series of set-pieces near the visitors' line was only relieved when Bann inexplicably lost the last against the head and Well kicked clear.

The last minutes of a see-saw first half saw Well in control. O'Shea missed with a shot at goal but as the pressure on the home line was maintained centre Willie Devane took full advantage of a missed tackle to race in for his team's second try, taking the half-time score to 11-13.

The second half started as badly for the home side as the first as winger Chris Spearman rounded off a sweeping movement to grab his side's third try, with O'Shea kicking a fine conversion.

Bann won a penalty from the re-start, Thompson finding the target from 38 metres range. The out-half was in fine form with the boot, but he showed another side to his talents when he shimmied over the line for a 48th minute try, adding the conversion for good measure, after the yellow-carding of scrum-half Ruairi Geary had numerically disadvantaged the defence.

An O'Shea penalty just after the hour edged his side back in front 21-23 and ten minutes before the end Devane looked to have wrapped it all up with a try under the posts after Bann had misfielded a kick into the "22".

But Bann were far from a spent force and when they ran their way back into the visitors' "22" they won another eminently kickable penalty, which if converted would have put them into a losing bonus point position. But hooker Jonny Murphy decided he wasn't going to settle for that and tapped the penalty. That set up a passage of play which ended with replacement prop Michael Cromie forcing his way over the line from close range, with Thompson's well-struck conversion leaving his side just two points behind.

Bann were now showing a greater degree of adventure and a flowing move from just outside their own "22" set full-back Ben Purvis off in full flight until he was brought to ground 15 metres out. Bann won a penalty but Thompson's kick to re-gain the lead shaved the upright on the wrong side.

That looked to be their last chance gone but as they pressed again No 8 Dale Carson came onto a pass to burst through two defenders and sprint the 20 metres to the posts. The referee re-started the game after Thompson's conversion but there was just time for a lineout and when the ball was kicked to touch the final whistle blew.

It was only fitting that Carson should get the winning try as he had a massive game, being prominent in all the positive work carried out by the pack. A number of his storming runs had put dents in the opposition lines before he made that final all-important breach of the defensive wall.

The Bann threequarters are beginning to gel as an attacking unit and Cowan's try was indicative of just what they can do when ruck ball is delivered without delay.

Navan are next up and while the Meath side's league position would suggest an away win as a banker, there is enough experience of previous upsets to disarm the players of any complacency. Another win before the Christmas break would set the side up nicely for the New Year, but having seen his side concede seven tries in their last two outings, coach Daniel Soper will be looking for an improvement in the defensive work to match the upturn in attacking potency.