13-man U17s lose out to late try

With 13 players unavailable, they travelled with 15 players and got off to the worst possible start when they lost Ulster Youth winger Andrew Hutchinson in the warm-up.

Then scrum half Max Buller took a big hit from the opposition flanker and also had to retire through injury. The 13-man Banbridge team took the lead when James Waugh powered and spun his way into the opposition 22 and prop Adam Ferris was in support to force his way over. They went 10-0 ahead when Megaw out-sprinted the defence to score between the posts.

Virginia were soon on the score-sheet when their robust pack kept a ‘pick and go’ alive for four phases of play. This was enough to provide the space for the wing forward to score under the posts. The Virginia forwards began to take control and took the lead when they formed a maul and forced their way over.

However, with five minutes left, Waugh popped the ball to Megaw who ran in his second try of the day to edge his side 14-15 ahead.

In the last play of the game Virginia went for the win and capitalised on their numerical advantage to claim the points.