The early exchanges saw both teams struggle to put any phases together with handling errors on both sides making for a scrappy opening 10 minutes. Somewhat against the run of play Larne took the lead after 18 minutes when soft Bangor tackling let the opposition in for a soft score which was duly converted. Bangor continued to attack and all the play was in the Larne half but again a combination of poor decision making and unforced errors let Larne clear their lines. The visitors were reduced to 14 men when their ill discipline at the breakdown saw a back row forward get a 10 minute sin bin and this seemed to lift Bangor. Good work by the backs led to Michael Aspley crashing over in the corner. The extra points were missed.

Half time saw the wind change direction and again Bangor enjoyed the benefit of the breeze in the second period, but as too often this season they failed to capitalise. From the kick off, poor Bangor defence let Larne make 70 yards of territory as they intelligently kicked to the Bangor line. The resulting line out was lost by the home team allowing Larne to score what was to be the match winning try.

With 38 minutes to play Bangor had every opportunity to dominate but what followed was a lack lustre effort which lacked direction and guidance. Too many opportunities to launch the ball deep into Larne's half were spurned and it was only in the last 5 minutes that any real time was spent camped on the Larne line. As the final whistle went Larne celebrated their hard fought victory leaving Bangor to wonder where the early season promise had disappeared to.

Failure to make first up tackles will be highlighted, as too the inability to secure possession at the breakdown. Larne who are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the league simply looked more up for it and whilst the effort of the Bangor team was there to see the cohesion and composure needed to turn possession into points was sadly lacking. The line out functioned well in poor conditions and Pete Nichol making his debut at tight head did very well. Chris "Chopper" Morris made good yards when the ball was clean and Peter Corbett carried hard and offered some resistance up front.

Next week sees Bangor travel to Coleraine to play league leaders UUC and it goes without saying a vast improvement is required.

Bangor team : P Nichol, R McCausland (C), H Flanagan, R Meeke, F Black, R Corbett, I McBurney, P Corbett, M Baillie, J Morgan, D Miller, M Aspley, C Morris, J McMullan, C Morgan

Bangor Scores : M Aspley (1T)

(Thanks to Jonny Watson for the words, and Norman Gault for the photos)