Banbridge Rugby Club - Northern Ireland

At this stage Bann were playing with neither confidence nor control. It was against the run of play that the outstanding James Waugh, showing superb pace and strength, scored two excellent long-range tries to give Bann an unlikely 10-5 half-time lead.

The second half saw Malone apply pressure to Bann's line. They decided to run several tap penalties but each time captain Matthew Beck drove the Malone attackers back with crunching tackles.

Bann's continuity improved and after good work from Keelan McCambridge and Cameron Cromie, James Waugh raced away for his third try, again unconverted.

With this lead the Bann pack took control with Thomas McRoberts showing his power to beat several Malone defenders only to be held up just short of the try line.

With ten minutes remaining mobile No 8 David McIlroy showed excellent pace and awareness as he broke from a ruck and out-flanked the Malone defence to score under the posts, the conversion being made by Adam Copes.

Special mention should be made of Jake Chambers and David Waddell who did well in their first start at prop.

The team agreed they had played well below their best, but to beat a Malone team 22-5 shows excellent potential.