Banbridge Rugby Club - Northern Ireland

The weather was perfect for running rugby, although there was a strong wind blowing from end to end of the pitch. Armagh won the toss and chose to play into the wind in the first half, a decision which was to cost them dearly.

Knowing that a strong start was required, Bann threw everything into the match from the start. Within five minutes they put Man-of-the-Match, John Porter, in a position where he danced his way over the line for a try in the corner. Mark Doherty was unlucky with the difficult conversion attempt, but Bann led 5-0.

The game then tightened up for 15 minutes, and Armagh, having played their way into the Bann "22", were awarded a penalty which they duly converted for three points.

Bann's immediate reaction to this was to attack the kick-off, take possession and after some fine handling from Matthew Bird and Doherty, Hugo Harbinson got himself in under the posts. Doc converted and Bann led 12-3.

Yet again, right from the kick-off, Bann took control. Having worked their way up the pitch to Armagh's "22", they set up a series of rucks from which winger Peter Irvine forced his way over the line for try number four. Doc added the extras and Bann were 19-3 ahead after 25 minutes.

The same story followed from Armagh's kick off, with Bann taking the ball, moving it wide supported by the tireless pack. They opened it again from the ensuing ruck, and Francois Viljoen found the gap to slip in by the side of the posts.Doc again did the business. Thirty minutes gone and 26 points to 3 for Bann.

Armagh tried hard to keep the ball away from Bann, urging on the half-time whistle, and time to re-group, but when Bann were awarded a scrum in Armagh's "22", Sam Boyd broke wide and fed Viljoen for his second try. Trusty Doc slotted the points and Bann stopped for half-time 33 points to 3 ahead.

The half-time talk was all about not letting Armagh back into the game in the second half, when they would have the wind at their backs. Six minutes into the new half Doc took the ball after a great break from Bird and scored in the corner.

Unfortunately Doc couldn't convert his own try, but Bann now led 38-3.

Bann then took their eye off the ball for 15 minutes. During this period Armagh crossed for two tries, one of which they converted. Bann kicked a solitary penaltyto take the score to 41-15.

Bann then woke up and put any ideas of a comeback out of Armagh's mind with another great try. Boyd broke from the loose, fed back row partner Bird who put Doherty away for his second try. Conversion missed, score 46-15.

Right on the final whistle Bann let Armagh in for a consolation try leaving the Rifle Park side convincing winners.

Every player on the pitch excelled themselves. The front row of Jelly, Ringland and Craig dominated the scrums but still managed to cover the ground to force their dominance on the rucks and mauls as well.

The second row pairing of James Mathers and Nathan Martin was tremendous, particularly in such an open game. Mathers stripped ball after ball from the Armagh players to turn over possession. The back row of Curran. Bird and Boyd, who have been fantastic all season were simply awesome today.

Scrum-half Andy Cowan played his best game of the season, dominating his opposite number all game, and demonstrated great bravery to come back on after getting a fairly nasty gash on the head. Viljoen at out-half not only scored two great tries but controlled the game cleverly.

The centre pairing of Willie Taylor, another man playing his best rugby of the season, and young Hugo Harbinson, proved too good for Armagh.

Finally, our back three of Peter Irvine, "dead-eye dick" Mark Doherty, and Man of the Match, John Porter caused Armagh trouble all day. Everytime Armagh got a chance to clear their lines, these three would run the ball right back to them, to initiate another Bann attack.

Next Saturday Bann have been drawn to play Grosvenor 2nd XV away in the semi-finals of the Harden Cup. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.