As the sides ran out for the start of this game, the difference in size and build between the teams was clear. However, although Banbridge had the advantage in player size, it was hoped that the more nimble Bangor players would be able to use their agility and speed to get away from danger.

Although playing with the wind in the first half, Bangor were finding it hard to produce coherent periods of play, with the ball going to ground on several promising occasions. It was only after 20 minutes of play that Johnny Baxter broke free and cut through the Banbridge defence for a well-taken solo try. With Chris Walton adding the conversion, Bangor were ahead by 7-0 and, with the stop-start nature of the game prevented any further meaningful scoring opportunities, this is how it remained as the first half drew to a close.

The second half saw play continue in the same vein as in the first, as the big Banbridge men tried to power their way through the middle, but as expected, the more nippy Bangor players produced the perfect answer as Chris Walton dummied and jinked his way through a flat-footed defence to score under the Banbridge posts and then add the conversion.

Now 14-0 ahead, it looked like Bangor might play to their strengths and extend this lead. However, this wasn’t the case, as Banbridge picked up the tempo and prevented Bangor the opportunity to escape from their own half. As Bangor came under sustained pressure, they were reduced to 14 men after a yellow card offence. Banbridge saw their opportunity and shortly afterwards made their extra man count as they crossed Bangor’s line in the right hand corner, making the score now 14-5, with 17 minutes of normal time left to play.

The final quarter of the game was spent almost completely within Bangor’s half, and quite often inside their own twenty two. Somehow, between Bangor’s stout defending and Banbridge’s mistakes, the home side managed to hold their line until the final whistle and, in so doing, maintain their top spot and unbeaten record in the league.

Despite this victory, Bangor will feel that their performance was well below par and will need to step up a gear if the same outcome is to be achieved in the return fixture at Banbridge in two weeks’ time. Nonetheless, Bangor remain firmly on top of the league and move one step closer to clinching the title.