Banbridge Rugby Club - Northern Ireland

Although they had appeared focused beforehand, Bann's unusually lethargic opening, during which they struggled to win on their own throw to the lineout, saw them on the receiving end of high-tempo attacks from Coleraine. The hungrier home team were quick to capitalise on any mistake or indecision and when they moved the ball, the first time tackles were not being made.

A converted try after only 8 minutes did not shake Bann into action, but somehow they managed to hold out until the half hour mark. A series of pick and drives yielded a second try, and merely two minutes later the defence was again breached, with the inept tackling again giving the Coleraine threequarters all the scope they needed to put together a try-scoring movement .

Annoyingly, Bann had opportunities of their own, and when they put phases together looked dangerous, but all too often they were not able to build on this momentum. This was underlined when a dominant Bann scrum opted for the set piece on seven straight occasions when Coleraine kept offending, but they could not get over for the try that might have set up a second half resurgence.

The 21 point interval deficit seemed to play on their minds, and immediately from the kick-off Coleraine countered to register their fourth try. Although this was well and truly game over, Bann gamely attempted to get something that might have spurred them into action, but all too often they fluffed chances.

With Coleraine now playing with the confidence engendered by such a whirlwind first half, they took advantage of a dispirited defence to run in four more tries and complete a comprehensive win over a Bann side that never came close to playing to their potential.

On a day when most things went wrong, including a usually consistent lineout, the only true positive was an extremely effective scrum, working off the foundation of a powerful front row.