Banbridge Rugby Club - Northern Ireland

But for the first hour of this game at Merrion Road the Co Down side had trailed to a Wanderers outfit that showed the ability to maximise every scoring opportunity that came their way. A speedy home threequarter line, spearheaded by centre Lorcan Kavanagh, had by that stage picked up three unconverted tries, with Bann relying on the boot of Robin Thompson to keep them in touch on a 15-9 scoreline.

But as Bann began to make sensible use of their forward strength, forcing the opposition into conceding a string of penalties, try-scoring chances began to open up for the visitors and the last of their four tries came in the nick of time to accrue what might be a crucial bonus point.

Wanderers' opening score, after 11 minutes play, owed more to Bann's defensive frailties than to any sparkling creativity by the home side. Bann failed to deal with a loose ball on the half-way line, Wanderers hacked through and Kavanagh's pace allowed him to collect and run in unopposed.

The Dublin side doubled their tally four minutes later after Bann's attempted clearance kick had failed to find touch. It was Kavanagh again who initially threatened the line - he was stopped short but a long pass from the ruck gave right winger Shane Robertson a clear run-in.

As Bann began to assert themselves at the set-pieces and particularly the scrum, it was Wanderers' turn to defend. They kept their line intact before the break, but Thompson managed to claw back three points with a penalty struck from 43 metres range.

The visiting forwards' pre-eminence was underlined by two superb driving mauls at the start of the second half. On both occasions Wanderers resorted to illegal tactics to stop the juggernaut and Thompson made them pay the full penalty.

But Bann then lost possession on halfway when seemingly in control of another maul and the home threequarters again swung into action, giving Robertson the space he needed on the right flank to gallop in for his second score.

James Andrews replaced Stephen Cowan in the centre and soon afterwards Shandon Scott came off the bench to take the place of Neville Farr, the scrum-half having picked up a nasty knee injury.

When Bann winger Jonny Pollock was taken out illegally chasing a garryowen, Thompson's penalty punt created a lineout close to the home line. The inevitable catch and drive was held out initially but Thompson made a half-break from the ruck and full-back Ben Purvis was on hand to take the scoring pass. Thompson added the extras and ten minutes from the end slotted over a 37 metre penalty to extend the lead to four points

The Bann pack was now totally dominant and skipper Simon McKinstry declined a shot at goal in the 72nd minute in favour of a lineout five metres out. Scott broke from the base of the subsequent ruck before giving the scoring pass to flanker Ryan Patterson.

Then McKinstry added to his impressive try tally for the season by forcing his way over after hooker Jonny Murphy had made telling inroads into the Wanderers' "22".

With just two minutes of normal time remaining the captain made his intentions clear by instructing Thompson to drop kick the conversion to save time. The out-half obliged and Bann were back on the attack straight from the re-start.

The home line was pummelled as Dale Carson, Patterson and replacement prop Michael Cromie went all out for the fourth try. But it was Andrews who made the breakthrough, stretching his considerable frame to effect the touchdown. Thompson converted and the referee blew for no-side.

Bann team:- Ben Purvis, Jonny Pollock, Stephen Cowan, Jonny Little, Ashley Finney, Robin Thompson, Neville Farr, Colin Bickerstaff, Jonny Murphy, Brian Hanna, Chris Allen, Simon McKinstry (Capt), Ryan Patterson, Dale Carson, Mark Wilson. Replacements:- Paul Ross, Michael Cromie, Jonny Martin, James Andrews, Shandon Scott.