Banbridge Academy 1^st XV won the Gary Clarke Memorial Cup on Saturday 8^th October with a well-earned 39-7 win over Lurgan College. The cup is played for annually in memory of Mr Gary Clarke who was a leading member of Lurgan Rugby Club and his two sons, Michael and Richard, both played their school rugby at Banbridge Academy. Michael and Richard, along with their mother Pippa, were all in attendance at the game on Saturday and presented the cup to Banbridge Academy Captain Ryan Matthews.

The match, played at Banbridge Academy on a beautiful autumn morning, was a tight affair in the first half. An early Score from the Academy’s Ulster Hooker Connor Magee got things moving for Banbridge after just 5 minutes and Ryan Matthews was unsuccessful with the conversion. After 15 minutes Lurgan took advantage of some slack defence to go in under the posts and with the successful kick take a 7-5 lead very much against the run of play. This caused Banbridge to raise their game and from here on they dominated proceedings. On the 20 minute mark Winger Darragh Knox touched down after some good play and on the stroke of half-time Hooker Magee crossed for his second try after a well worked lineout move. This left the score 17-7 in favour of the Academy at halftime.

The second half was a stop start affair with injuries and infringements breaking up play. The Academy continued to dominate however and tries from Flanker Tom King, Out half Daniel Hutchinson, Flanker Calum Little and Full Back Ryan Matthews, along with another conversion from Matthews left the final score 39-7 to the Academy.

During the presentations at the end of the match, alongside Ryan Matthews being presented with the trophy, Hooker Connor Magee was presented with the Man of the Match trophy and Prop Jonny McCrum was awarded the coaches player of the match award.

Thanks must go to Andrew Davis from Lurgan Rugby club who did all the organising for the event and also volunteered his services as referee for the game. He did a great job in both of these endeavours.