Banbridge Rugby Club - Northern Ireland

After electing to face the gale in the first half Bann couldn't have asked for a better start. Good inter-play between forwards and backs preceded Andrew Morrison's scything run through the Boyne midfield defence which finished 60 metres later at the try line, the young centre having "skinned" the home full-back en-route. Robin Thompson converted and the Bann supporters settled back to enjoy what they anticipated would be a romp to another bonus point win.

But Boyne used the wind to good effect in that first half, pinning the visitors back in their own half and forcing the concession of a number of penalties, four of which Niall Kerbey converted, from up to 50 metres distance, to give his side a 12-7 lead at the break.

Given the strength of the wind, which took Thompson's re-start drop kick over the dead ball line, even the home supporters must had serious concerns about their team's ability to defend a five point margin. Three minutes after the interval the Bann out-half had his first chance to reduce the deficit, but his penalty attempt from 40 metres fell short. As play continued, inevitably it seemed, to be based in the Boyne half, Thompson had another penalty opportunity from 28 metres range, but this time his attempt drifted wide.

With the wind creating problems out of touch and Bann's pack unable to impose itself at scrum time, the supply of ball to the threequarters was erratic. And when they did get it, the backs made life difficult for themselves by continually attempting long passes which were blown off-course in the elements.

On the hour Thompson found the target with his third penalty attempt to leave a two point gap separating the sides. The smart money would then surely have been on Bann to take the win.

But Boyne's response was immediate as they worked their way back into the Bann half, for long periods denying Bann the possession they needed to kick themselves back into the opposition half. When a 71st minute penalty attempt from Kerbey rebounded off an upright Bann scrambled to regain possession but Thompson was caught before he could get his kick in and Boyne won a scrum.

Three minutes later the gap was out to seven points after quick ruck ball had allowed the home side to create an overlap down the left flank, allowing winger Eoghan Duffy to dive in at the corner, to the delight of the vociferous Boyne supporters.

Thompson kicked a penalty to the corner to set up a last-ditch assault on the Boyne line and No 8 Stephen Irvine almost forced his way over. But when the ball was moved wide from the ruck the Boyne midfield defence was up quickly to snuff out the threat, Bann infringed at the ruck and the penalty was kicked out to mark the end of the game.

This was not the performance Bann wanted in preparation for Saturday's game against unbeaten Rainey. And the misery of defeat was compounded by the loss at half-time of Jonny Murphy, the Ulster U-20 hooker having suffered serious ankle ligament damage.

Fortunately Bann have strength in depth at hooker with Murphy having been sharing starts with his replacement on Saturday, David Weir. Coach Daniel Soper will be hoping to have the services of tight-head Brian Hanna available again, but aside from his re-introduction to the pack there are unlikely to be many, if any, changes to a side that hopefully just had an off-day on Saturday.

After some 14 seasons in the All-Ireland League, Bann should know that you just can't afford that against any opposition. And certainly not against the likes of a Boyne side which, belying their recent 51-3 defeat at Cashel, played with commitment and passion and, as freely acknowledged by the Bann supporters, fully deserved their win.

Bann team against Boyne:- Brendan Ward, Jonny Pollock, Andrew Morrison, Jonny Little, Andrew Kirkwood, Robin Thompson, Neville Farr, Michael Cromie, Jonny Murphy, Jonny Weir, Colin Bickerstaff, Simon McKinstry (Capt), Dale Carson, Mark Wilson, Stephen Irvine. Replacements: David Weir, James McCrum, Chris Allen, Craig Mulholland, Stephen Cowan.