Having lost to Instonians earlier in the league, Bangor were hoping that improvements in their game play since then would make this a more evenly contested fixture. However, their hosts remain unbeaten so far this season, having seen off other strong sides already. Bangor got the game underway, and almost immediately felt the intent of their opponents when Mark Widdowson was tackled while in the air taking a high ball. Although penalised for the offence, Instonians may consider themselves lucky to still have a full complement of players on the pitch. The hosts maintained this intensity while in contrast, Bangor looked as if they weren’t completely up to speed. This was painfully evident when after just 7 minutes, a gaping hole in Bangor’s back line was quickly exploited by Instonians, who drifted through to score under the posts and take the lead by 7-0.

This provided the spur for Bangor, who now started to play the type of running rugby that has produced such good results recently. Jamie Clegg, playing at number 8 in Curtis Stewart’s absence through injury, was making good ground from pick-ups at the back of Bangor’s scrums. Just 6 minutes from the Instonians score, he broke again and, seeing space behind the approaching Instonians defence, chipped through and set off in pursuit. Although avoiding a defensive tackle, he was illegally tripped, and Instonians found themselves down to 14 men, having received a yellow card. During the following 10 minute spell, Instonians dug in defensively, keeping Bangor at bay. However, with a few minutes of getting back to full strength, Instonians went back on the attack and produced a well-executed back line move to get the ball to their right hand winger who had the speed and space to round the defence and avoid Bangor’s last gasp tackles. With another successful conversion, the hosts were now ahead by 14-0.

Bangor stuck to their task and came close when a similarly well worked back line moved quickly down the right wing. As the ball was finally passed to Chris Morgan, joining the line from full back, his normally secure hands found the ball too slippery on this occasion and the chance was gone. Bangor managed to sustain the pressure, eventually winning a penalty which was successfully kicked by Mark Widdowson, bringing the score to 14-3 which remained the case as the first half drew to a close.
Bangor started the second half brightly, and with 8 minutes gone, were unlucky when Davy Charles got over the line in the right hand corner, for the referee to judge that the ball had been held up. However, having been denied in the right hand corner, a minute later Bangor swung the ball in the opposite direction, this time finding Mark Widdowson who dived over for a convincing try. The touchline conversion attempt was missed, but Bangor were now within a converted try of taking the lead, the score now being 14-8.

Bangor’s second half determination has been evident throughout the season, and Instonians were obviously wise to this as they repeatedly kicked for position, trying to keep Bangor pegged back in their own half. This became the style of play for most of the remainder of the game, with attacks at both ends repelled by solid defences. As the final play approached, Instonians had a scrum inside their own twenty two. A comment from the touchline suggested that Bangor would just have to push their opponents off the ball and mount a last ditch attack. This would be no easy feat, given the strength of Instonians’ pack when in possession of their put-in. However, Bangor produced an excellent shove to disrupt the scrum and win a penalty. There was no time left for anything but a pick and go, which Bangor used to push towards the Instonians line. Despite keeping the ball alive and mounting several attacks, Bangor were unable to break through the solid Instonians defence, finally succumbing to a knock on which marked the end of the game.

Although disappointed not to have got the winning score, Bangor have much to take credit for. This was as close a game as Instonians have had all season and Bangor’s performance will stand them in good stead when they host Dromore next week, and the All Ireland Junior Cup quarter final against Enniscorthy the week after. As Instonians now progress to the semi-finals of the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup, we wish them the best of luck.

Bangor side: S Irvine, A Jackson, P Whyte, G Irvine, F Black, R Latimer, J Henly, J Clegg (c), R Armstrong, J Morgan, M Widdowson, M Aspley, M Weir, D Charles, C Morgan

Subs: O McIlmurray, M Thompson

Bangor scores: M Widdowson (1T, 1P)