Banbridge Rugby Club - Northern Ireland

Bann took the lead in the 5th minute when captain Johnny McCreery touched down after a well controlled rolling maul, Adam Doherty adding the conversion. Bann continued to pressure after the re-start and after some slick handling by Matthew McDonald and Doherty, Ben Cross ran 35 metres, dummied the last defender and scored in the corner. Doherty again kicked the conversion.

The match continued to be a one-sided affair with Bann looking the more effective team while in possession but Dromore tackled hard and the home side had to work for the ball. Josh Coyle scored Bann's third try after the forwards had gone through several phases. The scrum half cleverly dummied the Dromore loose forwards and sprinted 20 metres to score with Doherty adding the conversion.

The closing stages of the first half saw Dromore fight hard to get back into the match but the home side were in dominating form with line outs and scrums one-sided affairs. The final score of the half came after a rolling maul which an impressive Robert Poots finished off.

The second half was more disjointed with Bann giving away numerous penalties and allowing Dromore to enjoy the lion's share of possession. This led to Dromore's only score of the game 15 minutes into the half. From a line out close to the Bann line Dromore mauled the ball effectively before touching down for a deserved try.

Play continued to be "stop-start" and Bann lost their intensity for long periods. Normal service was resumed when Coyle again dummied the opposition back row and fended off two defenders before touching down for a second try. The final score came from Doherty who fielded the ball in his own "22" and showed blistering pace to leave several defenders in his wake before diving over the try line.

This was not Bann's best performance but the good start probably caused a degree of complacency. McDonald had a good game in the backs with some incisive running and Poots and Jason Lamont were the pick of the forwards. Coyle, with his two well-taken tries and clever decision making, was the man of the match.

Ballynahinch will provide the opposition at Ravenhill on 30th April, but having defeated them twice in the league, Bann will start as favourites to complete a rare league and cup double.