Banbridge Rugby Club - Northern Ireland

The first 20 minutes was mainly spent within the Bann half with the defence holding firm as ‘Hinch attempted to break through. Out-half Andy Morrison showed his value in defence when he won the race to touch down ahead of the home team's winger as they attempted to hack through for the score.

However, slack defence allowed the home side in for tries on 28 and 35 minutes and this changed the entire game as Bann now chased a 14 point deficit. The first try was conceded after two attacking lineouts were initially easily defended, but a rare mistake in the first time tackle allowed the ball to be spread to the opposite right wing for the score. The second try was conceded as Bann`s defence was breached by the ‘Hinch centre taking a well timed pass to score near the posts.

Bann were now chasing the game, although they were still getting into some good field positions, but a solitary unsuccessful penalty by Clarke McAllister just before the break was their only chance to reduce the arrears.

Bann commenced the second half in the knowledge that a quick score would bring them right back into it, and with a bit of luck that was missing in the first half going their way, they knew they were a match for ‘Hinch. However the home team pressed again from the re-start and put themselves 17-0 ahead on 47 minutes after Bann were caught offside when defending their "22".

The next 10 minutes saw Bann show greater urgency, with some intelligent work by the pack producing the opportunities for the backline to take play to within 5 metres of the home line, but the ensuing attacking lineout was lost and ‘Hinch cleared.

This renewed confidence saw Bann again take the game to the home team with some impressive counter-rucking by the back row trio of Andy Baird, Andy Davidson and Bryan Curran assisted by pick and drives by Alan Conn. In this period of play, McAllister reduced the arrears to 17-3 with a well taken penalty, and then Morrison was unlucky to be held up and forced into touch after a flowing move which he started on the half way line after taking a quick tap and releasing the forwards.

However, Bann were dealt a cruel blow on 65 minutes as ‘Hinch seemed to realise the threat that the resurgent Bann were posing by slotting over a penalty to go 20-3 ahead to make the game very comfortable for them again. The visitors' difficulties were then compounded when Andy Cowan received a yellow card for his team's allegedly persistent off-side offences.

Although this effectively ended the contest, Morrison was still able to add to his man-of-the-match performance by producing a third try-saving tackle in the left corner before the whistle, this being on the back of some good incisive breaks and intelligent kicking when required.

Although the final score showed a 20-3 victory to ‘Hinch, Bann can take some pride in the knowledge that for long periods they more than held their own, especially in the forwards, but all too often, it was individual lack of concentration that cost points or field position after good work by others.