Banbridge Rugby Club - Northern Ireland

With the wind behind them Bann kicked off and forced Dromore to defend for the first quarter.  Bann were unlucky not to take the lead after winning a penalty just outside the "22".  Ali Lewis pushed the kick wide from a relatively straightforward opportunity. 

Further pressure resulted in another penalty at the breakdown, this time the ball was kicked into the corner.  From the resulting lineout Bann caught and drove over for a score, Brian Woods getting the touchdown. Lewis was successful with the conversion close to the sideline. 

Bann again crossed the line with a catch and drive but this time the referee judged the ball to be held up. 
Dromore came back into the game and their first chance arose when they hacked through a loose ball and forced a penalty close to the Bann line.  The kick was missed.  They continued to pressurise but aggressive tackling by the Bann forwards turned over possession and Bann were able to clear their line.  Bann lost their out-half Lewis after 20 minutes with a hamstring injury and were left with 14 men for the remainder of the match. 

The rest of the half saw Bann defend and kick to relieve the pressure.  Bann had two counter-attacking opportunities, the best chance saw John Porter break through the line and release Stephen Jackson who was tackled into touch five metres from the line. 

After the break the Dromore side had more possession and clearer opportunities.  They recycled the ball much better and had improved in the lineouts.  However Bann continued to disrupt and frustrate the Dromore side.  The visitors' best opportunity of the game came when an overlap down the right wing put their fullback clear through.  A superb diving tap tackle from Kris Coleman saved a certain try. 

Dromore forced a serious of penalties and got their first points when they kicked a penalty from in front of the posts.  This was soon followed by a try in the corner when they scored from another overlap.  Dromore had now a one point lead with only ten minutes left. 

This seemed to bring Bann back to life.  A succession of drives from the forwards got Bann into the opposition "22".  Bann won a penalty when the Dromore prop infringed and  Philip Morrison calmly slotted over the kick to take Bann back into the lead.  Bann then secured victory when John Porter chased down a clearance kick.  He showed his football skills by hacking the ball past the full-back and winning the race to the line. 

A hard won victory was the result of some great defensive work and derby determination.