Banbridge Rugby Club - Northern Ireland

The trophy, awarded to the winners of the play-off between the winners of the five Junior League sections of Ulster rugby, last resided in the Rifle Park clubhouse in 1991, when Bann's Third XV, then operating under the nickname of "Heslip's Heroes", had brought it back from Ravenhill.

That side, captained by Nigel Heslip, had been well garnished with experience. On Saturday last, Andrew Craig captained a side containing five of last season's Under-19 squad and several U-22 players with the battle-hardened edge coming in the form of forwards Gareth Jelly and James Mathers together with out-half Francois Viljoen.

After getting off to a flying start through a try from Gary McKibben in the second minute, Bann went on to add two more tries and take a 24-8 lead into the interval. A fourth try and penalty were added early in the second half and although Dungannon hit back with two converted tries to reduce the deficit to ten points with ten minutes remaining, Bann regained control to claim the trophy.

Director of Rugby John Best was delighted with the team's success. "The lads played some great rugby, especially in the first half," he said after the game. "A great deal of credit must go to the coaches, Andy Duke and Willie Kirkwood. They have kept the players focussed throughout a long season and encouraged them to play an entertaining style of rugby.

"This performance underlines the benefits of our youth system and the importance of developing our own players. I saw several players there today who have the potential to make the step up to All-Ireland rugby and we will continue to ensure that they have the best quality coaching to develop that potential."

Best will have been particularly impressed with centre Gary McKibben and wing John Porter, each of whom picked up two tries. McKibben's early score followed a chip through from Viljoen which the Dungannon defence failed to deal with.

Mark Doherty's penalty stretched the lead to eight points before Dungannon hit back with an unconverted try. But Bann were soon pressing again and from a scrum just inside the opposition "22" No 8 Sam Boyd fed Andy Cowan and the scrum half gave Porter just enough space to scorch in at the touch flag from 18 metres range. A superb kick from Doherty bounced in off an upright to add the extras two points.

Dungannon converted a penalty to stay in touch but before the break Bann had conjured up a third try. From a ruck just outside the ‘Gannon "22" the ball came to McKibben and he exploited a gap in the dog-leg defence to race in at the posts untouched, leaving Doherty with the simple conversion.

The half-time score seemed challenging enough for the Co Tyrone side. But when Porter finished off a blind-side move by racing in from the "22" for his second try and Doherty kicked a second penalty, the gap of 24 points seemed insurmountable.

However playing to their forward strengths and showing excellent ball retention, they denied Bann possession for long periods and in the course picked up two converted tries from close range to ensure an entertaining game retained its competitive edge until the end.

The Banbridge team was:- Mark Doherty, John Porter, Gary McKibben, William Taylor, Peter Irvine, Francois Viljoen, Andy Cowan, Andrew Craig (Capt.), Ryan Ringland, Gareth Jelly, James Mathers, Nathan Martin, Matthew Bird, Brian Curran, Sam Boyd. Replacements (all used):- Geoff Little, Jonny Harris, Marc Eadie, Hugo Harbinson, Martin Armstrong.