With only three teams competing in Bangor’s U18 league, the young lads are to be commended for maintaining their enthusiasm as they repeatedly find themselves playing the same two teams. However, games against Malone are always competitive, and this was no exception. Although both sides looked a little rusty in the opening exchanges, and cold hands meant ball handling wasn’t as slick as it could be, both sides were determined to run the ball at every opportunity.

Despite going behind to an early Malone try, a solid team performance from Bangor U18s saw them recover well with two tries of their own to take a narrow lead by half time. Malone fought back well in the second half, but their two additional tries were cancelled out by Bangor, with the try of the match coming from a great individual effort by Frankie Shivers from 30 metres out who broke through a number of tackles and handed off two Malone players before scoring in the corner. However, the man of the match goes to Josh Hunter who not only scored a try but his overall attacking and defensive play was outstanding throughout.