14 players turned up at Banbridge only to be told they only had 10 opponants, having seen the boys faces drop they got changed ready for some sort of game anyway. Having got changed and waiting on the pitch the ref came over and announced that Banbridge could now only field 6 players, asking for four volunteers four willing ERGS boys went over to meet their temporary team mates from Banbridge.
The game started slow with Banbridge scoring the first unconverted try after about 6 minutes. Banbridge continued to dominate the loose play helped greatly by the ERGS volunteers, Banbridge put down a second converted try bringing the score to 12-0. which was soon answered by a James McKee run down the line and over the try line bringing the score to 12-5 just before 1/2 time.
In the 2nd half the ERGS boys woke up and played better, missed less tackles, read the field and used the space, Andrew Breen scoring the second try and Craig (stevo) Johnston converting, 12-12. After a bit of loose play a third try, scored by Hugo Graham and converted over the uprights by Craig Johnston, the score went ERGS way 12-19. A short while later, after a bit of pressure on the ERGS try line a break came the visitor’s way and a good 40 yard run by David Scallon put him under the posts. He converted his own try, final score 12-26.
A good run out by all fourteen boys things to work on – kick and catch, making sure the first tackle counts and use of field space.