Their first round opponents this season are Silverwood and the first leg was played at Banbridge last Monday. The local team is captained by Mark Crory and managed by Nigel Bryson. They were both well pleased after the match. Banbridge won 6- 1. Josh Crory, Luke Crory, Callum Barnes, Jamie Thompson, Rory McMullan and Matthew Elliott all won their games. Scott Nelson, playing at number one, came up against a Silverwood lad whose game was red hot. Scott lost by 5 and 4 and there was nothing he could do about it. Barring a total collapse, Banbridge should progress to the second round. Brilliant start for Brendan’s team in the Ulster Cup The Banbridge Ulster Cup team, captained by Brendan Meade, played Royal Portrush in the home leg of their first round match last Sunday. Brendan knew that his team needed to take a big lead to the world-famous links of Royal Portrush if they were to stand any chance of progressing. Well, the first part of the game plan went perfectly as Banbridge came away with a 6-1 lead. Roy Sipson won 6 and 4. John Gallagher won 3 and 2. Peter Hillen won 6 and 4. Neil Diamond won 2 up. Cathal O’Neill won 3 and 2. John McDowell won 1 up. Kevin McKay was very unfortunate to lose by one hole down. He was on the 18th green, not too far from the hole. The game was all square and Kevin had a good chance to win the last hole. But the Portrush man holed his putt from at least 30 feet away. Kevin was shell-shocked and lost the hole. It’s not going to be easy to get the one and a half points needed for victory. The second leg at Portrush next Sunday is sure to be a thriller.