Jamie and Alan lead Bann to Jimmy Bruen qualification, but only just

The team, under the captaincy of Peter Hillen, went to Warrenpoint Golf Club full of optimism and that proved justified.

Foursomes is the most demanding format in golf but Peter urged his team to be patient and to try and avoid big numbers.

They all responded brilliantly.

Jamie Thompson and Alan Dale were the top pair with a marvellous score of 78.

Next came Gordon Haire and Gary McCormick with an 81. They got caught out on the last two holes when a sub-80 score seemed a certainty.

John McDowell and Gary McCartney scored 90, James Wilson and Cecil Wilson scored 92 and Chris McAvoy and Martin McAleenan scored 93.

The four best scores totalled 341 and that put Banbridge into a tie for third place alongside Mourne and Cloverhill.

After countback was used, Banbridge placed third and Mourne were fourth.

They joined Warrenpoint (first) and Kilkeel (second) as the four qualifiers.

Bann will now play Kilkeel in the first round.