With 2 games in this opening round of fixtures being conceded before a ball was kicked, Bangor were pleased to welcome Clondalkin to Upritchard Park – the first time these two clubs had met. This competition offers much to those junior clubs who have desires to play All Ireland rugby. It also provides a great opportunity to enjoy not only top-level competition, but also the social aspect of club rugby. A big thanks goes out to Ian McBurney of Rathmore Stores Spar for the match day sponsorship, and also to Bangor Grammar School for lending Bangor Rugby Club their 1st XV shirts as our visitors were playing in blue and yellow!

Clondalkin got the game started, playing with the breeze blowing diagonally across the pitch. The weather threatened to worsen, but this soon cleared and the conditions were perfect for both players and spectators. From the outset, Clondalkin played a controlled game with plenty of possession, but a solid Bangor defence thwarted any meaningful attacks. In keeping with their form so far this season, Bangor looked dangerous when given half a chance to break out of defence, but on this occasion were let down by a collection of relatively unforced mistakes. It took 24 minutes of play before the deadlock was broken, and this came through the boot of Mark Widdowson who converted a penalty after Jason Morgan had cut through the Clondalkin line, only to be halted illegally.

This score seemed to spur the home side on, and Bangor now enjoyed the bulk of possession and territory. Bangor’s pack were the match of their big Clondalkin counterparts and, from a 5 metre scrum, eventually took the advantage through a Curtis Stewart try, albeit supported by most of his fellow forwards. The difficult conversion from close to the touchline, and into the wind, was narrowly missed by Widdowson, but as the first half drew to a close, Bangor were ahead by 8-0 and would have the wind at their backs for the remainder of the game.

Bangor maintained their first half momentum straight from the restart, and were rewarded just 3 minutes later when Jason Morgan slipped through some poor Clondalkin tackling to touch down to the right of the posts. Widdowson’s conversion attempt hit the upright, but Bangor’s lead was now 13-0.

However, very soon afterwards, Bangor were found equally wanting in the tackling department when a good run by Clondalkin down their right wing had the home defence scrambling to cover, but were unable to prevent a well-taken try in the corner. The conversion was missed, but Clondalkin were back in the game at 13-5.

Bangor made up for this lapse just 6 minutes later when good work by Jason Guthrie provided the opening and final pass for Jason Morgan to cut through the centre and run clear for a try under the posts. Morgan’s kick was successful, putting Bangor further ahead by 20-5.

Although both sides were playing some good rugby, there were scrappy moments where the ball was allowed to bobble around on the ground. As the game entered the final quarter, circumstances like this proved costly for Bangor as they put themselves under pressure by not winning the ball. From this, a penalty was conceded which Clondalkin kicked to touch. The lineout was cleanly taken and, after moving in-field, the Clondalkin forwards produced the drive that saw their hooker touch down for another unconverted try.

Although Bangor steadied the ship once again with a successfully kicked penalty by Morgan, Clondalkin were throwing everything forward in the final 10 minutes. Some desperate defending by Bangor saw them manage to keep the visitors at bay, but at the expense of a yellow card for Jason Guthrie. Despite this, they managed to close out the game with no further scores, and take the victory by 23-10.

This was a game played in the best spirit of provincial junior rugby, with the better side on the day coming through in the end. However, the day didn’t finish with the final whistle and it was a pleasure to share in the craic between both sets of players and supporters in the clubhouse afterwards. The focus for Bangor now moves back to the league next Saturday and an eagerly awaited encounter with local rivals Ards. With an early kick-off at 1:30pm, this game should provide a spectacle worthy of a warm-up to the World Cup Final later in the afternoon. A big crowd is expected – make sure you’re part of it!

Bangor team: M Ferguson, A Jackson, P Whyte, G Burton, C Stewart, D Caughey, J Clegg (c), D Bradford, J Guthrie, J Morgan, M Widdowson, D Fusco, R Gamble, D Charles, R McCloskey

Subs: P Nicol, P Dornan, F Black, M Weir, A McCusker

Bangor scorers: C Stewart (1T), J Morgan (2T, 1C, 1P), M Widdowson (1P)

PS More photos are available to view, courtesy of John Mooney, at https://flic.kr/s/aHsknSHGVo