Trophy famine finally over for Rugby Club

THE long barren run without a trophy is finally over for Ballymena Rugby Club, after a 17-11 win over Banbridge in last week’s First Trust Ulster Senior Cup final.

The Braidmen overcame the dogged challenge of a side two divisions below them in the All-Ireland League structure, thanks to tries from skipper Paul Pritchard and South African Richard Aingworth to win the prestigious silverware for the first time since 2006.

Unsurprisingly, head coach John Andrews was elated at his side’s success, which provided the perfect Christmas present for everyone at Eaton Park.

“With all the work that everyone does, particularly the players, you need to have tangible rewards.

“It is all well and good saying well done after a good season, but to now have something to set in the cabinet at the clubhouse and look at it at the end of the season, you can say the work was well worth it.”

“It was a tough game and Banbridge played well. We were probably a little naive at times, particularly in that first half.

“But once we cut out the penalties - I think the count was 5-1 against after just 15 minutes - and got more accuracy we got into our game.

“And once we did we looked dangerous and our back three were a serious threat.”

For skipper Paul Pritchard, it was a night of double celebration, as the back row forward was also named First Trust man-of-the-match.

He said: “It took us a while to start. It is a young team and maybe the occasion got to us.

“But once we got into the game and got the feel for it we started to go well. Certainly cutting the mistakes out in the first half was key.

“We were just leading at half time and we probably should not have been at that stage if we are honest.

“But in the second half we really dominated and could maybe have won by a bigger margin.”

Pritchard pointed to the sin-binning of Ballymena’s Martin Irwin as a turning point of the game.

“Everyone seemed to really pick up at that point,” said Pritchard, who scored the try which pushed them out to a 14-6 advantage.

“I think everyone knew they had to really step up and pull their weight.”

“Forget the fact Banbridge are two divisions below us in the All Ireland, they came here and played hard and they were good.

“But we have worked hard this season too, and to be Senior Cup winners and top of the Division 1B table going into the break leaves us happy with the progress we have made.

“However, we had to ensure we do not take our eye off it when the New Year arrives and we have the All Ireland League and All Ireland Cup to play.”

That All-Ireland Cup test will see Ballymena, as Ulster cup champions, take on the Munster winners in the semi-final.

Coach Andrews said: “It is a massive bonus for us and yes it will be a difficult trip no matter who we get. But we want to play against the top sides in the All Ireland League and it will give us an idea of where we currently are in terms of progress and achieving that goal of promotion.”

Related topics: