Banbridge ‘Blue Sox’ return home from their annual Welsh visit

Prior to departure Collie Broderick and Michael McQuitty received their 10 tour ties and then it was time for road. Mark Fisher, a native of the Principality was given the honour of match captain and for the second year in a row got to play alongside sons, Elliott and Jake. Ynysybwl 2nd XV, also known as the ‘Yetties’ were the opposition. Playing conditions were perfect. The match was a close encounter played in true touring spirit but the youthful home side had the edge and ran out winners in the end.

Ynysybwl Rugby Club were excellent hosts and the usual post match festivities were held.

• As the Bann U15’s lost out to Portadown this week, the local side had several key players missing through injury, meaning the younger boys had to step up. The majority of the players were U14 and they stuck at the task right to the end. The organisation and positional sense will need worked on in training as too many times the experienced Portadown backs found themselves with an overlap. Stand out performers in the pack were Matthew Neill and Haydn Kerr who ran himself ragged. In the backs Jamie Mullan tackled everything that moved and constantly broke the gain line along with Jack Dolaghan who once again showed how dangerous he is with his blistering pace.