Despite a number of changes in the forwards as a result of injury and non-availability, Bangor were hoping that their recent run of good form would continue at Chambers Park. However, from Bangor’s kick-off Portadown immediately started to demonstrate their forwards’ strength as good carries and rucking forced Bangor to concede several early penalties. Playing into the wind, Portadown were unable to make much ground with their kicks, however after 9 minutes of play, from a lineout on Bangor’s twenty two, they gathered the ball and formed a rolling maul. Bangor were unable to control this and, as the drive continued right up to Bangor’s line, there was little option but to pull it down, earning Portadown a penalty try, and a yellow card for Jamie Clegg. The simple conversion put the home side ahead by 7-0.

Continuing problems for the Bangor scrum saw various changes being made to the somewhat experimental front row, which went some way to stabilising this vital aspect of play. By contrast, Bangor’s impressive backline once again looked dangerous on the break, and helped in bringing play back into Portadown’s danger zone. Once inside Portadown’s twenty two, the forwards combined well, coming close within minutes of Portadown’s score, but a determined defence held them at bay.

Playing with the wind in this half, it was important for Bangor to take advantage, but as the clock ticked away, it was looking like a difficult second half was in store as Bangor’s efforts were thwarted at every turn. However, after 28 minutes of play, patience finally paid off when a move started by Mike Weir, and then taken on by Jason Guthrie and Paddy Dornan, was finally finished off by Jamie Clegg who scored towards the left hand side. McCloskey’s kick was wide, but Bangor were now back in the game at 7-5.

As the game entered the closing minutes of the first half, a penalty to Bangor saw McCloskey put in an inch perfect kick, winning Bangor a lineout on Portadown’s 5 metre line. The lineout was won cleanly and the driving maul was formed. In similar circumstances to Portadown’s earlier score, the maul got to the goal line but was then pulled down. In a creditable display of consistency, the referee awarded Bangor a penalty try, and also yellow carded the guilty Portadown player. The kick in front of the posts was converted by McCloskey, putting Bangor ahead for the first time by 7-12.

This improved state of affairs was tempered just minutes later when Curtis Stewart was yellow carded for an offside offence just as the referee blew for half time. With a man down, and now playing into the wind in the second half, there may have been some doubts as to whether or not Bangor’s lead would be big enough to see them through.

Portadown got the game underway again, and almost immediately Bangor had a lineout around the half way mark. This was taken quickly, but then stopped illegally, earning Bangor a penalty. With little point in trying to kick into the stiff breeze, Bangor took a quick tap and whipped the ball across their backs from left to right eventually finding Davy Charles on the wing. With Portadown’s backline scurrying to try and cover across, Charles took advantage of the space he had and outran the defence to touch down under the posts. Mark Widdowson was now on kicking duties and made the successful conversion, extending Bangor’s lead to 7-19. With just 2 minutes of the second half gone.

Bangor’s two tries either side of half time were a bitter blow to Portadown who had arguably been on equal terms up to that point. However, undaunted, the home side stuck to their task and continued their forwards assault, winning a penalty just a few minutes later. With plenty of time remaining, they opted for the kick which was successful, narrowing the lead to 10-19. From the restart, Bangor conceded another penalty in almost the same position. Again the kick was successful bringing Portadown yet closer at 13-19.

The following 20 minutes or so saw the game follow the pattern of Portadown using the wind to kick deep into Bangor territory, and then Bangor running the ball back again. An unfortunate offside by Bangor in the centre of the pitch didn’t look particularly dangerous until an unnecessary comment resulted in the referee marching Bangor back further into their own half. Portadown’s kicker used this and the wind advantage to convert a good kick and narrow the gap to 3 points at 16-19.

With 15 minutes of normal time remaining, Portadown had not only got themselves within losing bonus point territory, they looked like the momentum was now with them and a win was in sight. However, the Bangor players looked more at ease than their supporters and responded just 3 minutes later with another great counter-attacking run by Mark Widdowson on the left wing. Portadown covered the danger but conceded a penalty in the process. Once again, with little to be gained through kicking to touch, a quick tap was taken bringing play into the Portadown twenty two. Once with the forwards, another good drive saw Paddy Dornan carried over the line for a well-deserved try, gaining a bonus point in the process. Widdowson missed the difficult conversion, but Bangor now had a little more breathing space at 16-24.

Once again, good tactical kicking and forward play saw Portadown back inside Bangor’s twenty two, but like before seemed unable to find the extra spark needed to break through Bangor’s well organised defence. However, in complete contrast, Bangor always seemed able to find enough of a gap to break through the Portadown line. This was ruthlessly demonstrated just minutes later when, although almost on their own line, Bangor broke out of defence through Widdowson on the left wing. With close support, he passed inside then received again, now taking the ball towards the Portadown twenty two. With the full-back between Widdowson and the goal line, he timed his pass perfectly to Rob Gamble on his right, who had a clear run in to score under the posts. With the conversion, Bangor were now more comfortably ahead by 16-31.

Although doggedly bringing play back towards Bangor’s line, Portadown found themselves having to take chances in order to break through Bangor’s defence. Unfortunately, this was their undoing as a stray pass close to Bangor’s twenty two was intercepted by Jason Guthrie who managed to outrun the chasing defence and score on the right hand side. The conversion was wide again, making the score now 16-36, with 34 minutes of the second half gone.

Far from sitting back with the win now looking assured, Bangor continued to pile on the pain and, as the game entered its 43rd minute, crisp passing following a tap penalty from deep in their own half saw the ball come to Jason Morgan who set off in similar fashion to Guthrie earlier. The Portadown defenders managed to catch him as he got to the line, but Morgan’s strength and momentum carried him over. Widdowson’s conversion was successful, marking the end of the game and another resounding win for Bangor.

The final score of 16-43 perhaps doesn’t do justice to Portadown who proved to be Bangor’s most stubborn opponents so far. However, for Bangor’s part, they showed resourcefulness when under pressure in the scrums, intelligence when assessing their options at penalties, and ruthlessness when offered half a chance by their opponents. The next hurdle is at home next Saturday when they meet Dromore, who won both meetings last season. No doubt this will be in Bangor’s mind when they continue their goal to stay at the top of the league standings.

Bangor team: A Jackson, D Bradford, O McIlmurray, D Kelly, C Burton, M Aspley, J Clegg (c), C Stewart, J Guthrie, R McCloskey, M Widdowson, D Fusco, R Gamble, D Charles, M Weir

Subs: P Dornan, J Morgan

Bangor scorers: J Clegg (1T), Penalty Try, D Charles (1T), P Dornan (1T), R Gamble (1T), J Guthrie (1T), J Morgan (1T), M Widdowson (4C)