This Conference League fixture was a timely opportunity to give some senior players a breather in what is becoming a very busy schedule of games, while also providing some 1st XV game time to worthy 2nd XV players, who had no fixture of their own. However, with only Oran McIlmurry and Andrew Jackson remaining from last week’s game, this was change on a massive scale.

In keeping with other sporting events, the game was prefaced by a minute’s silence in respect of the earlier atrocities in Paris.

As the game got underway, it was obvious that Ballynahinch were looking to reverse last week’s result that saw them knocked out of the Junior Cup and, sure enough, within the first 5 minutes went ahead through a penalty kick. This was followed shortly afterwards by a converted try which saw them take the lead by 0-10.

As the rain continued to fall, and conditions underfoot got heavier, Bangor started playing to their strengths by keeping the ball in their forwards. Like last week, Bangor’s pack was on top from the first scrum and this provided the platform for many of their attacks. It didn’t take long for Bangor to capitalise on their early forwards pressure when Freddie Black crashed over for a try on the left hand side, which Neil Cuthbertson converted to bring the score to 7-10.

In the main, Bangor’s discipline at the breakdown was good, but a moment of over excitement in front of their own posts yielded a simple penalty for Hinch, which extended their lead to 7-13.

As the game entered the last 10 minutes of the first half, Bangor upped their intensity, keeping play mostly in the Hinch half. Then, having been awarded a penalty in front of the Hinch posts, Bangor opted for the scrum which was well controlled by Curtis Stewart at Number 8, before picking up and driving over for the score. The simple conversion was added, putting Bangor in front for the first time by 14-13. Just 5 minutes later, this scenario was played out again with the same result from Stewart, albeit with a missed kick by Cuthbertson. The Bangor blitz continued right up to the final play, when a good break by Andrew Jackson paved the way for Freddie Black to finish it off with his second try of the day. With no added conversion, the half time score now stood at a healthy 24-13 for Bangor.

Bangor started the second half as they ended the first, with much of the game being played in their opponent’s territory. However, whereas Bangor’s strength lay mostly in their forwards, the threat from Ballynahinch came from their backs. This came to the fore after 13 minutes when, against the run of play, they produced a counter-attack from within their own twenty two, slipping through the half-hearted Bangor tackling, before scoring and adding the conversion to narrow the score to 24-20.

Bangor’s reply came just 7 minutes later when another steady build-up was this time moved quickly from the forwards to Danny Kennedy who found just enough space to slide in at the right hand corner for a try. The touchline conversion was missed, but Bangor had stretched their lead to 29-20.

However, with a quarter of the game remaining, Bangor appeared to take their foot off the gas and, with the Ballynahinch back line now moving the ball with purpose and confidence, the momentum was now moving to the visitors. A combination of cut backs and wrap arounds gave Hinch a massive overlap which allowed them to simply run around the Bangor defence and score under the posts. With the successful conversion, this brought them right back into contention at 29-27.

Bangor’s difficulties were then compounded when Dave Caughey had to retire injured and, with no subs permitted in this particular league competition, they were now down to 14 men. Hinch took full advantage and once again produced another good series of back line moves to slip through some weak tackling and score under the posts again. Now 29-34 ahead, and with just 5 minutes remaining, Hinch could sense victory.

However, Bangor have shown throughout the season that patience and determination to play right to the final whistle is vital, and this was evident once again as another steady build-up through the hard-working forwards got Bangor ever closer to the Hinch line. It was now the visitors that were on the ropes as wave upon wave of attacks were halted. However, the sustained pressure eventually proved too much and another burst from Stewart saw him drive over to complete his hat-trick of tries. With the scores now tied at 34-34, the pressure was now on Cuthbertson but he held his nerve and slotted home the conversion to make the score 36-34.

The referee indicated that there was just enough time for the restart to be taken, and given Ballynahinch’s appetite for running the ball, there was some anxiety among the Bangor supporters. However, although it was Cuthbertson’s kick that gave Bangor the lead, it was a well-taken clearance kick by Andrew Jackson from all of 3 metres from the touchline that sealed the victory.

There are many who regard the Conference League as an unnecessary distraction from the more significant pressures of other league and cup competitions. However, this win has extended Bangor’s winning streak and will give a boost to the coaching staff and playing squad as the club moves into a period of important cup ties across all senior teams. This kicks off next Saturday when the 1sts welcome Leinster side Monkstown in the quarter final of the All Ireland Junior Cup. Make sure you come and support Bangor as they aim to progress further in this prestigious competition.

Bangor team: O McIlmurry, A Jackson, P Nicol, F Black, G Burton, D Caughey, C Burton, C Stewart (c), D Kennedy, M Thompson, C Burns, K Rossan, M Baillie, N Cuthbertson, C Morgan

Bangor scorers: F Black (2T), C Stewart (3T), D Kennedy (1T), N Cuthbertson (3C)