On a very grey, gloomy Saturday morning near neighbours Banbridge Academy and Friends’ School, Lisburn met in the 2nd Round of the Schools Cup.
The first 4 tackles from both teams was an indication of the passion and commitment from both sides in this tie.
Playing with the wind Banbridge took a 3-0 lead with a penalty goal from Ryan Matthews after 11 minutes.
A solid Friends’ defense held firm until Conor Magee scored an unconverted try, wide on the right for Banbridge to lead 8-0.
Ronan Quinn‘s try, converted by Matthews, on 31 minutes, gave Banbridge a 15-0 halftime lead.
Early in the 2nd half, Friends’ knocked back Banbridge’s lead, when Alex Murphy scored an unconverted try, wide on the left, to reduce the deficit to 15-5.
As the wind got up and the rain fell, ever more heavily, ball handling became even more difficult. There was no further scoring. Banbridge now progress the a 3rd Round Tie with, even closer neighbours, Dromore High School, in January.
