On another wet and windy Saturday afternoon, and following hard on the heels of last week’s testing cup tie against Clogher Valley, Bangor returned to league action, this time against a determined Omagh side. Since their return to QL1, Omagh have proved to be a tough team to play, especially on their home turf. Although suffering from some injury problems, and mindful of the need to keep an eye on the forthcoming cup fixtures over the next 10 days, Bangor knew they needed to field a strong team. Coach Jason Morgan also used this opportunity to move another of Bangor’s versatile centres, Mike Weir, into one of the wing forward positions.

With a fierce wind blowing down and across Omagh’s training pitch, the home side got the game underway, playing with the elements at their backs. Within the first 2 minutes, Omagh were awarded the first of what turned out to be many penalties. Their kick for goal was successful, putting them ahead by 3-0.

Bangor were having to make yards the hard way – working the ball through their forwards until an opening for the backs became available. Frustratingly, when possession was turned over, Omagh were able to use the wind to send their clearing kicks straight back into Bangor’s half. However, Bangor stuck to their task and some direct running by Desi Fusco and Rob Gamble soon got Bangor back into Omagh’s twenty two. Once within 5 metres of the Omagh line, Bangor’s now dominant scrum was going to cause problems for the home defence. A strong drive by the Bangor pack was pulled down, resulting in a penalty. A quick tap by Jason Guthrie was passed to Curtis Stewart whose forward momentum carried him over the line for a try. Ross McCloskey’s conversion attempt was stopped dead by the headwind, but Bangor were now ahead by 3-5, after 13 minutes of play.

Omagh used the elements to keep the ball inside Bangor’s twenty two. In their efforts to turn possession over, Bangor once again were penalised for being offside at the breakdown. The simple kick from in front of the posts was converted and Omagh had regained a narrow lead by 6-5. The remaining 22 minutes of the first half was a fairly evenly contested affair, but no further score was forthcoming.

Bangor got the second half going with the comfort of having the wind at their backs. Although putting up a stubborn defence, Omagh’s slender lead was overtaken by Bangor after a successful McCloskey penalty after 16 minutes. This was followed up with a second Bangor try after a 5 metre scrum was controlled and then driven over the Omagh line for Stewart’s second score. This time McCloskey’s conversion was successful, putting Bangor more comfortably ahead by 6-15.

Omagh, however, were by no means finished. Benefitting from a slipped tackle, they broke down the left wing with Bangor having to double back in defence. Yet again the referee considered Bangor to be offside at the breakdown and awarded Omagh a penalty. This prompted a response that not only earned Mike Weir a yellow card, but also gave Omagh a further march downfield. From the improved field position, Omagh successfully converted the kick, putting them back in touch by 9-15.

As the game entered its closing minutes, Bangor called on their reserves of fitness to pin Omagh back inside their twenty two. Another 5 metre scrum looked like it had done enough but, although disrupted before it could get over the Omagh line, the Bangor pack patiently reworked the ball before Andrew Jackson was able to make the final dive and score in the left hand corner. The difficult conversion was missed, but with just a minute or two remaining, Bangor closed out the game to record a worthy victory by 9-20, and retain their top spot in the league.

Hopefully conditions will have improved by next weekend when Bangor travel to Enniscorthy in the semi-final of the All Ireland Junior Cup. Coach Jason Morgan and the supporting management team will have their work cut out in managing the various injuries and then selecting the best squad of players, especially with the Junior Cup final against Instonians at Kingspan Stadium just 3 days later. A small but determined band of supporters is expected to make the journey south at the weekend. However, it is hoped that a much larger contingent from North Down will be able to make it to the Kingspan Stadium on the evening of Tuesday 16th December. The club is planning to put on buses for those wishing to travel, and anyone who would like to avail of this service is encouraged to get in touch as soon as possible in order to secure their place.

Bangor team: O McIlmurry, A Jackson, P Whyte, D Kelly, M Ferguson, M Weir, J Clegg (c), C Stewart, J Guthrie, J Morgan, D Charles, D Fusco, R Gamble, A McCusker, R McCloskey

Subs: D Caughey, G Burton

Bangor scorers: C Stewart (2T), A Jackson (1T), R McCloskey (1P, 1C)