Tensions couldn’t have been tighter. Nothing less than a win for Bangor would keep them in contention with Instonians who were just one point behind, and with their final game against Portadown scheduled for Saturday. A bonus point would extend that lead to 6 and beyond the reach of our friends at Shaws Bridge. As for Ballyclare, they were looking for at least a point to keep them safe in fourth place and hence qualify for next season’s All Ireland Junior Cup. Having mounted a charge in the league as the season progressed, Ballyclare would now be a different prospect to the side Bangor overpowered in their opening game back in September 2015. For the large crowd of spectators, the significance of playing a league decider, on a Thursday night, with the last game of the season would still be relatively fresh in their minds as this was the scenario when Bangor previously won promotion from QL2 to QL1, first against Carrick, then later against Grosvenor.

The rainfall earlier in the day had passed, and the conditions were almost perfect. Once again the Upritchard Park playing surface was in great shape and looking more like it should do at the start of a season rather than the end – all credit to Stephen Ferris for his continued good work.

Ballyclare got the game underway and early signs were that the Bangor forwards were going to play a big part in proceedings. In fact it took just 7 minutes before a Bangor scrum close to the Ballyclare line saw the ball come to Curtis Stewart at Number 8, who then made the final push to score the opening try. Mark Widdowson converted, giving Bangor an early 7-0 lead.

A further 7 minutes later, another Bangor scrum provided quick ball to Desi Fusco who burst through from his position on the wing. Having barged through the initial tackle, his pace and strength proved enough to see him carry on and score to the right hand side for a great individual try. The kick was wide of the posts, but the scoreboard was ticking over nicely at 12-0.

A similar period had elapsed when, from some loose play in the centre of the pitch, the ball was won by Mike Weir who cut a great diagonal line through the Ballyclare defence before out-running them and scoring in the right hand corner. With Widdowson having left the field with a shoulder injury, Jason Guthrie stepped up for the conversion, but the difficult kick was missed. However, Bangor were just one try away from their target, and only 24 minutes had been played.

While the temptation to force the game and push hard for the bonus point try must have been strong, Bangor instead chose to be patient and not risk any further injuries. This eventually paid off with just 5 minutes of the first half remaining. Having kept play within the Ballyclare twenty two, the visitors managed to win a scrum which could then help them clear their lines. However, the Bangor pack saw this 5 metre scrum as an opportunity and produced a shove that pushed their opponents off the ball. The ever alert Stewart picked up and both drove and spun until he got over for the bonus point try. Gareth Millar took over the kicking duties and successfully added the conversion, bringing the score to a comfortable 24-0 as the game approached half time.

As Bangor kicked-off at the start of the second half, the hope was that with the bonus point already secured, they might cut loose and put on a display to top off the game. Instead, the first 20 minutes were marked by stoppages and indiscipline, with neither side being able to take control. However, once again it was another break out of defence by Bangor that broke the deadlock. Jason Morgan, playing at centre, set things in motion by cutting through the Ballyclare defence before being stopped just short of the goal line. Having got the ball back, it was passed to the right where Ross McCloskey was on hand to jog over and score. Although the subsequent kick was missed, Bangor were now well ahead by 29-0, and looking good for the win.

The final nail in Ballyclare’s coffin came just 5 minutes later when, once again, Bangor mounted another counter attack, this time from close to their own line. Mike Weir made the initial break, which was then taken on by Morgan who brought play inside the Ballyclare half. Having been closed down by the approaching defence, Morgan passed to Stewart who then set off like a steam train, flanked by Guthrie and Bradford, and outran the retreating defence to score under the Ballyclare posts and mark a personal hat-trick of tries on the night. The simple conversion extended the score to 36-0, with just 15 minutes remaining and the game, as a contest, was over.

Or was it? Perhaps understandably, Bangor started to cruise, not wanting to expend unnecessary energy of pick up late knocks with the prospect of a cup final in 3 days time. Ballyclare to their credit, however, lifted their game for a final push. Their forwards seemed to be back on terms and used this to great effect when, just 5 minutes later, they used a catch-and-drive movement from their lineout to attack Bangor’s line. As the maul trundled both sideways and forward, Bangor struggled to contain the move and eventually pulled it down as it looked to be crossing the line. The referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try which, with the conversion from in front of the posts, brought the score to 36-7.

While the feeling in some quarters may have been that this was Ballyclare’s consolation try, their players wanted more. Bangor seemed to have their defence in control, denying Ballyclare several chances. However, with just 2 minutes remaining, a rare lapse by Bangor left a gap in their line that was seized upon by Ballyclare who burst through and scored under the posts for another converted try.

Unfortunately for Ballyclare, there was not enough time for them to sustain this late charge and get the 2 further tries necessary to salvage a bonus point. For them, it will now be an anxious wait to see how Omagh fare against Clogher Valley in their remaining back-to-back fixtures.

For Bangor, the final whistle at last provided the opportunity to release their relief and joy, and the prospect of a shot at regaining senior status via the round robin series of games over the next 3 weeks. The first of these games is at home against Connacht champions Westport on 2nd April, before hitting the road once more for Enniscorthy (Leinster) on the 9th April and then Clonmel (Munster) a week later on 16th April, by which time we’ll know who has been promoted.

As a footnote to this league title, it’s worth remembering key moments that made it all possible. Obviously, Bangor’s appetite for scoring tries while denying their opponents many scoring chances helped to amass a remarkable tally of bonus points – 16 won from 18 games – but it was perhaps just one in particular that tipped the balance in their favour. It has even been identified by Instonians, our nearest rivals and last season’s champions, as the moment that possibly cost them the title. Bangor’s game against them at Shaws Bridge was uncharacteristically punctuated with errors, allowing the home side to move into a comfortable lead. With time running out, it looked like Bangor would leave empty-handed. However, almost out of nothing, a last-ditch attack from deep inside their own half suddenly found Davy Charles with just enough space on the right hand wing to stretch his legs and go on his own. Although caught as he approached the goal line, he managed to force his way over for the vital try that brought Bangor to within 7 points of the Instonians score, and hence gain a losing bonus point. An injury in a later fixture consigned Charles to the touchline for the remainder of the season. However, such is the role of a ‘team player’ and an important lesson to anyone involved in team sport.

All eyes now turn to the Kingspan Stadium on Easter Monday for the Powerade Towns Cup Final against Enniskillen, where Bangor will be aiming to complete a rare treble in junior rugby, having secured the Junior Cup and League titles already. This will be a great opportunity for all friends of Bangor Rugby Club to celebrate a remarkable season and show their support for the players and coaching staff who have made it happen.

Bangor team: M Ferguson, P Whyte, J Leary, D Kelly, C Burton, D Bradford, J Clegg (c), C Stewart, J Guthrie, G Millar, M Widdowson, J Morgan, M Weir, D Fusco, R McCloskey

Subs: P Dornan, M Aspley

Bangor scorers: C Stewart (3T), D Fusco (1T), M Weir (1T), R McCloskey (1T), M Widdowson (1C), G Millar (2C)