On a dryish Thursday evening Queens faced Banbridge in an Ulster Premiership Division One Group A league game at The Dub, Upper Malone.
Unfortunately, we don’t have the names of all the scorers, these will be added when they become available.
Banbridge kicked off. Queens fielded the ball and ran it back at a static defence, for Cameron Gillanders to cross far out on the left, after a minute’s play. The successful conversion put Queens 7-0 up. Banbridge responded 2 minutes later when Adam Doherty scored to reduce the deficit to 5-7.
On 8 minutes from a driving line out maul Queens got a try on the left. The successful conversion made the score 14-5.
A similar driving lineout maul yielded another try on 14 minutes. The conversion put Queens out to 21-5. Lineout mauls were a feature of Queens’ playbook and on 32 minutes Alexander Clarke was at the tail to touchdown for Queens bonus point try. The successful conversion put Queens 28-5 up.
Banbridge replied in the closing minutes of the 1st half when Nathan Hook scored. Doherty’s conversion pulled Banbridge back to 12-28 at halftime.
Clarke’s 2nd try after 46 minutes, and the conversion had Queens 35-12 ahead. Banbridge fought back. Matthew Shirlow’s try and Doherty’s conversion brought Banbridge back to 19-35.
Queens responded with a Harry Long try after 59 minutes, before Shirlow crossed for his 2nd try, converted by Docherty on 67 minutes to make the score 40-26.
Queens saw the game out with a 71st minute, hat trick try, for Alexander, a 74th minute Jonny Hunter try, both converted and at 76th Ben Gibson try, which he converted to leave Queens leading 57-26.
Speaking to Queens supporters and officials, before the game, I’m not certain that they anticipated such a comprehensive, but thoroughly deserved victory.
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