Banbridge Academy 1^st XV played out a pulsating Danske Bank Schools cup match on Saturday against local rivals Dromore High. Unfortunately, the team lost 7-19 in a fantastic spectacle played in from of a huge crowd of supporters.

The game was the first in Group B of the Schools Cup. Dromore went into the tie as heavy favourites as they were the number one seeds in the group while the Academy were seeded third out of four. The Academy’s performance defied this seeming imbalance however and the young team, just 3 Upper 6^th boys on the pitch, more than held their own in a thrilling encounter.

Dromore were first to score with some good phase play resulting in a well worked score; the extras were added by the kicker. As halftime approached Banbridge piled on the pressure but after a near miss close to the line Dromore broke away and when Banbridge twice failed to find the safety of touch with clearance kicks Dromore capitalised and scored again to take a 14-0 lead into halftime.

The 2^nd half saw some of the Academy’s best rugby with big carries from Ulster Hooker Connor Magee and Ulster back row Ryan Hanna along side some impressive work from 2^nd Row Noah Bell. This good play led to an outstanding break from centre Luke Charman who burst through the defensive line and then stepped the full-back to score under the posts; Full Back and Captain Ryan Matthews slotted the conversion to bring the score to 7-14. The Academy continued to play well as the game ebbed and flowed both ways with both teams having chances to increase the score. On 55 minutes it was Dromore who put together an excellent series of phase play and then, as the defence scrambled to cover, they made the midfield break and fed their left wing to score in the corner; the wideout conversion was missed. As the game drew to a close the Academy continued to try to get within bonus point range but the Dromore defence was resolute and the whistle blew with no change of score.

The game was an epic encounter in many ways; the Physicality of both sides was to be commended but the skills levels and work rate from both was also exemplary and the two sets of supporters should also be commended for their loud but sporting support.

Banbridge Academy now have two games left in their group stage and must now chase a best runner up spot to try to proceed to the Schools’ Cup round of 16. The next fixture is a home tie against Larne Grammar on Sat 12^th November followed by and away fixture against Bangor Grammar on Sat 10^th December.