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Club Academy Cup Final | Ballyclare 7-37 Banbridge

30th March 2023

The competition is only in its second season, and consists mainly of players aged under 21.

Both young sides played a physical brand of rugby, but it was the Cup holders Banbridge who made the incisive breakthroughs in the opening half.

A clever chip kick by Ali Morrow was chased well by Dean Hayes, with the blindside flanker touching down for the opening try of the game.

Both sides were able to make use of constant rolling subs, which saw the early introduction of Robbie Mathers for Banbridge, who spent time alternating between the front row and number 8.

His first touch of the ball saw him set off on a powerful run from just outside the 22, smashing his way through several would-be tacklers on his way over the whitewash for the second score. In the first of many big carries through the final, he touched down close to the posts, with Jonny Martin converting.

Martin then extended the lead as he danced past a few defenders, cleverly side-stepping as he worked his way toward the line for Banbridge's third try, with Justin Burns hitting the conversion to make it 19-0. A Burns penalty on the stroke of half time gave his side a 22-0 lead.

Ballyclare had fronted up well, and to their credit they often elected to keep the ball in hand and play expansive rugby in a bid to stretch the Banbridge defence.

But the leaders were able to recycle possession due to continued good work at the breakdown, and another quick counter saw winger Ethan Mount race clear to score in the corner.

Opposite winger Burns then scored a quickfire double of similar tries. On both occasions, the backs worked the ball wide for him to make the most of his pace and finish well in the same corner as Mount to make it 37-0.

Clare continued to make good use of the rolling sub system to ensure their team played with energy and enthusiasm despite the score, and they soon got the try their effort deserved.

Ryan Rodgers was shown a yellow card for collapsing the maul, and from the resulting lineout the Ballyclare pack worked a couple of short phases before Joe McConnell powered over for a consolation score, with Rhys Cobain nailing a difficult conversion from the touchline.