On Thursday eveningt Malone entertained Banbridge in an Ulster Rugby Premiership Division 1 game, under lights, at Gibson Park.

After their exertions in the AIL, both sides fielded much changed sides from the weekend.

Both teams sounded each other out in the 1^st quarter with Malone having the better of the play. However it was Banbridge who took the lead after 28 minutes with a try and conversion by Aaron Kennedy.

Malone replied 5 minutes later when Matthew Neill, sent the defense the wrong way and sniped over for a try, converted by Callum Smith, to level the scores.

On 37 minutes Andy Bryans try, converted by Smith gave Malone a 14-7 lead, which they took into halftime.

The 2^nd half was barely 3 minutes old when Banbridge equalized with a Robin Sinton try, converted by Kennedy.

Only 2 minutes later Malone pressure lead to a penalty try to restore Malone’s 7 point lead, at 21-14.

Banbridge kept the scoreboard ticking over with a Kennedy short range penalty goal and they took the lead, 24-21 with a Colm Finnegan try, converted by Kennedy.

A further unconverted Ross Cartmill try and a long range penalty goal by Kennedy, stretched the lead out to 32-21 for Banbridge after 74 minutes.

Malone had the last say when Neill scored his second try in the corner, after 77 minutes.

All in all a very entertaining game and a deserved win for Banbridge.

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