To the neutral or impartial spectator, this game had it all. Twelve tries which included a hat-trick for one player, eleven conversions, two yellow cards, failing floodlights, a shortage of rugby balls, unusual technical zones, and a remarkable comeback. Added to this was the home side’s wish to avenge the narrow defeat just one week ago at Upritchard Park. By the same token, Bangor knew that they should have recorded a more decisive win earlier and would need to up their game if they were to repeat that result now.

Bangor kicked off with the wind behind their backs. This should have helped them get off to a strong early start, as has been the case in recent games, but instead it was a clever chip over the Bangor defence by the advancing CIYMS backs that delivered the opening try for the home side after just 3 minutes. This was more of a surprise than a shock to Bangor, who quickly put it behind them and restarted their game plan. Patrick Dobie got the sides back on equal terms a few minutes later as he finished off a strong forward attack, then Aaron Corbett capitalised on a dropped ball by CIYMS and ran from the 10 metre line to score under the posts. Bangor’s charge continued soon afterwards when Danny Young intercepted a pass on his own twenty two and looked as if he would run the length of the pitch. Although he was caught by the covering defence, he managed to pop the ball to Rhys Larmour who finished off the move with a diving score, which he also converted. These quick tries put Bangor into a convincing lead of 7-21, and all within the opening quarter of the game.

Unfortunately Aaron Corbett blotted his copybook with a poorly timed tackle on a CIYMS player taking the ball in the air which saw him receive a yellow card. This gave the home side their best opportunity to take advantage and, despite the scrappy nature of play in the attacking build-up, they added their second converted try to narrow Bangor’s lead to 14-21. The gloom continued shortly afterwards when the floodlights went out. Fortunately playing conditions were adequate until more coins could be found at half time for the meter.

However, it was Bangor who had the last say of the first half when an excellent backline move saw Patrick Dobie dive over in the right hand corner for the bonus point try and, despite the missed conversion attempt, Bangor were now carrying a useful 14-26 lead as the sides turned around at half time.

In similar fashion to the first half, CIYMS struck back within the first minute of the restart with an opportunist try when Bangor lost what looked like straightforward possession close to their own posts. Suddenly the home side were back in close contention at 21-26. However, soon afterwards it was CIYMS’s turn to be shown the yellow card for a ruck infringement, and Bangor set about making the manpower advantage count. Now it was try-scorer Dobie’s turn to become try-maker when he kicked the loose ball into the CIYMS twenty two. Although he was unable to continue the chase, the chance fell to Ollie Cain who charged through to collect the ball and touch down under the posts for another converted try and regain a more comfortable lead for his side. Thankfully for Cain, three of the CIYMS coaches had moved out of the way, having previously used the CIYMS twenty two as their technical zone for most of the game.

The see-saw nature of the game continued once again when CIYMS benefitted from Bangor’s growing penalty count, and then used their effective kick to touch, lineout and drive technique to good effect, bringing up their bonus point try and narrowing the lead to just 5 points. However, this was almost immediately cancelled out by that man Dobie again, when he produced a determined run from halfway, slipping through several tackles before scoring a remarkable try, and recording a well-deserved hat-trick into the bargain.

With the scores poised at 28-40, and both sides having secured their try-scoring bonus points, the remaining 15 minutes left to play should have been a game of containment by Bangor. Having been in much better control of their set pieces than in previous games, it was a serious blow to concede a scrum penalty in front of their own posts. The CIYMS forwards stepped up for the tap-and-go and, after repeated drives for the line, eventually got over for another converted try, bringing the score to 35-40, with 10 minutes remaining.

Bangor were now struggling to get into the CIYMS half, as more penalties against them allowed the wind-assisted CIYMS kicker to repeatedly find touch deep inside Bangor’s twenty two. However, as the game entered its final few minutes, Bangor found something in their reserves and were back on the attack with the CIYMS in close reach. Unfortunately their previously good ball handling deserted them and the ball was turned over allowing CIYMS to counter-attack. Bangor’s defence dug in, but once again was unable to prevent the CIYMS forward mauls and drives from forcing their way over for a score-levelling try on the right hand side of the pitch. With the addition of the far from straightforward conversion, CIYMS had edged into the lead for the first time since their opening try of the game.

Bangor tried to respond, but CIYMS managed to do what their opponents had failed to, and simply closed out the final few plays until another penalty allowed them to tap the ball and then kick for touch, bringing the game to a close amid wild celebrations both on and off the pitch.
Although it could be argued that Bangor gained two useful league points away from home, the reality is that they also lost 3 points that were certainly there for the taking. Having now missed the chance of moving further away from the bottom four clubs in the league standings, Bangor will hopefully not rue this slip-up later in the competition. Although the Christmas and New Year holidays will provide a much-needed break, Bangor have a busy and challenging schedule ahead, starting at home on 10th January against Ballymena 2nds in the second round of the Towns Cup.