Bangor topple league leaders Malahide

Having lost heavily at Malahide earlier in the season, Bangor were anxious to both reverse the scores this time and also close up on the teams just ahead of them in the league. This would be no easy task, given the growing list of long-term injuries that have befallen Bangor, the most recent being a badly broken leg for acting captain David Bradford. His absence for the remainder of the season, together with that of club captain Phil Whyte, has led to the 1st XV leadership passing to Desi Fusco, a popular and well-deserved choice. The Bangor team also welcomed back Chris Jordan on the wing, Jules Storey at full-back and Mike Aspley at wing forward. Malahide were obviously taking the fixture seriously as ex-Ireland international prop Mike Ross had made the trip to add weight and experience to their front row. The mild, dry and wind-free conditions had encouraged a large crowd of spectators to line the pitch with the prospect of an exciting game of running rugby in store.

Bangor kicked off and from the outset looked really up for the challenge, pushing Malahide back into their own half for most of the first quarter of the game. During that time, Mark Widdowson had put the home side ahead through a successfully converted penalty, though a missed kick from an arguably easier position caused worries on the touchline that this might be costly later. It was also unfortunate that a promising forward attack just failed to add what looked like a certain score when Mike Aspley was judged to have knocked the ball on as he dived against the Malahide post, and when Malahide lost one of their second row forwards to a yellow card Bangor were unable to capitalise on their extra man advantage. These missed opportunities were brought into sharp focus in the closing minutes of the first half. A Malahide penalty was kicked by Shane O’Brien to level the scores at 3-3 after 36 minutes. However, from the restart, Bangor were back inside Malahide’s twenty two and laying siege to their line. As the Bangor forwards patiently kept driving for the line, it was left to their sniping scrum-half, Lewis Bret, to see the smallest of openings and dive through for a try just to the left of the Malahide posts. With Widdowson adding the conversion, Bangor were now 10-3 ahead, with just a minute of the first half remaining. However, on a rare excursion into Bangor’s twenty two, Malahide built several phases of good forward play before rumbling towards the Bangor line. As Bangor struggled to stop the forward surge, they illegally pulled the maul down, resulting in a penalty try for the visitors and a yellow card for Mike Aspley. As the half time whistle came immediately afterwards, Bangor were left scratching their heads as to why they were now 10 apiece after dominating most of the first 40 minutes of play.

By contrast, Malahide must have been delighted to have turned around on level terms, and this was evident straight from the restart as they started playing with renewed confidence and vigour. They were unlucky after just 9 minutes when their fast and expansive back-line play created a man overlap on their right wing, and a score looked certain. However, the last pass was just forward and Bangor were lucky to have avoided going behind. As the game progressed, the Bangor pack started to impose themselves in the set pieces. However, a big Bangor shove on a Malahide scrum was judged to have been driven upwards, resulting in a penalty to the visitors. Although some way out from the Bangor posts, the Malahide kicker chose to take a kick at goal. Although his direction was good, the kick looked to be falling short. However, the ball just managed to reach the crossbar, then bounced off it and over for the score, putting Malahide in front for the first time in the game by 10-13, with 15 minutes of the second half gone.

It was just 8 minutes later when the game swung back towards Bangor. A great run down the right wing by Chris Jordan was taken on by Jules Storey. Although he was caught just short of the goal line, the resulting ruck was illegally disrupted by Malahide, earning them another yellow card and a penalty for Bangor. Being just 5 metres from the line, Bangor opted for the scrum. Although unable to push Malahide back over their line, Bangor recycled the ball and formed a rolling maul that eventually saw Evan Wellard-McMillan carried over for a try. Although the conversion was missed, Bangor were back in front again, by 15-13.

The game of nip and tuck continued soon afterwards when Malahide were awarded a penalty in front of Bangor’s posts, putting them narrowly ahead again by 15-16, with just 7 minutes of play remaining. Malahide tried to keep Bangor pegged down in their own half, but a well-taken penalty by Ross McCloskey found touch deep inside the Malahide twenty two. Bangor’s rejuvenated line-out was secure once again, and a rolling maul was duly formed. As it trundled slowly forwards, a Malahide defender came in from the side and was penalised as a result. With the game now in its final minute, there was no other choice but to kick for goal, even though the position was out on the left hand side and not in the best place for a left-footed kicker like Widdowson. However, with a cool head and sure foot, he slotted the kick between the posts to put his side back in front by 18-16, with just time for the restart to come. A nervous couple of minutes elapsed where Malahide threw everything into attack. However, Bangor’s defence stood up well, being careful not to concede a penalty, and rode out the pressure until the ball was knocked on, and the referee blew for the end of the game.

The closeness of the game, and the good natured manner in which it was played, was a credit to both sides. The victory keeps Bangor firmly in the hunt for a top four finish in the league which will put them in line for a promotion play-off. Although picking up a losing bonus point, this defeat drops Malahide to second place behind Thomond, who Bangor will face in two weeks’ time. This league has proved to be arguably the most competitive in the AIL, with neither promotion or relegation definite for any of the teams involved, despite there being only four games left for each.