Banbridge Rugby Club - Northern Ireland

The match had an added interest, coming as it did just three weeks before the sides meet again at Rifle Park in the AIL, the result of which will be of greater importance to both clubs.

With each side registering two tries the result hinged on the kickers, with Armagh's James McBriar converting both his side's touchdowns to give the visitors the win they probably deserved on the balance of play.

McBriar's 10th minute penalty was a fair return for his side's domination of the early exchanges. But with the wind at their backs and a superior set scrum, Bann were soon threatening the visitors' line. Midway through the first half, with the Armagh pack in retreat at a five-metre scrum, No 8 Stephen Irvine picked up and forced his way past two defenders to touch down.

Robin Thompson's conversion attempt was off-target but the out-half's successful penalty kick, from 25 metres range, gave his side an 8-3 lead with 26 minutes played.

Four minutes later Armagh had regained the lead, after flanker Mark Riddell picked up a mis-directed throw-in to a Bann lineout on the home "22" and weaved his way to the posts for his side's first try, converted with ease by McBriar.

Bann hit back before the interval when Andrew Kirkwood came into the line off the blindside wing and carved open the Armagh defence, finding Jonny Pollock with an overhead pass to leave the full-back with the simple task of touching down.

Thompson's conversion split the uprights, but he was wide of the mark with a 35 metre effort just before the break.

Armagh started the second half as they had the first, keeping Bann on the back foot. A penalty kicked to the corner saw the visitors drive the maul over the line only to be held up. Further pressure from the subsequent scrum saw Bann scrum-half Adam Ervine pick up a yellow card for his efforts to prevent a score. When a try seemed inevitable, good work by prop Michael Cromie saw Bann win turnover ball and clear the immediate danger.

The winning score came midway through the half, with centre Ethan Allen taking advantage of another poor Bann lineout throw and a missed tackle to get behind the Bann defence before putting midfield partner Colin Atkinson in for a try at the posts. McBriar added the vital conversion for a two point lead that the visitors were to carry though to the final whistle.

Both kickers had unsuccessful shots at the posts in the final quarter, but it was Armagh who looked more likely to pick up a third try. Only a last-ditch tackle by Pollock saved a try in Bann's right-hand corner and Atkinson knocked on attempting to gather a ball with the line beckoning.

So Armagh left Rifle Park content with the win that sets them up nicely for their trip to Cork, where Sunday's Well will provide the opposition on Saturday. While the Orchard County side know they need to put in some work on the scrummage machine this week, Bann's focus in training before their home clash with Navan will surely be on the lineout, the unlikely source, on Bann's throw, of both Armagh's tries.

Certainly when the teams meet again in the third round of AIL games another tight battle seems inevitable. Results over the next two Saturdays could have a major impact on confidence ahead of that Ulster derby encounter, but it is certainly one that will again attract a big crowd to Rifle Park.

Bann team against Armagh:- Jonny Pollock, John Porter, Stephen Cowan, Jonny Little, Andrew Kirkwood, Robin Thompson, Adam Ervine, Michael Cromie, Paul Ross, Brian Hanna, Chris Allen, Colin Bickerstaff, Dale Carson, Mark Wilson, Stephen Irvine. Replacements:- Jonny Weir, Alan Conn, Jamie McDonald, Neville Farr, Andrew Morrison.