With both Bangor and Ballymena sitting in the mid table position, this match was crucial if either side was to have any chance of pushing for league glory. For Bangor, the game couldn’t have got off to a better start with two quick tries from captain Andrew Jackson and Ethan McGrogan and a conversion from Shaun Fair. However, Ballymena then responded with an unconverted try on their first visit to Bangor’s twenty two, making the score 12-5 after 30 minutes of play.

In the set pieces, particularly the scrums, Bangor were in control, but in open play they also looked the more powerful. A terrific burst through the centre by Josh Nelson tore through the Ballymena players before the ball came to Frankie Shivers who finished the move with a well-taken try. Unfortunately, a costly defensive misdemeanour when under pressure on their own goal line shortly afterwards saw Bangor lose Nelson to a yellow card, while also suffering a penalty try in the process. Ballymena then took full advantage of their manpower superiority with a try in the last play of the half, and levelled the scores at 17-17.

Considering Bangor’s first half advantage in both territory and possession, to turn around at half time on level terms was disappointing. However, another early onslaught in the second half saw tries from Shivers, Jacob Cavanagh and Freddie Priestly and a penalty from Fair which not only ensured a try scoring bonus point, but also gave the visitors a massive mountain to climb if they were to get back on terms. Ballymena did eventually manage to pull one try back which earned them a bonus point, but Bangor had the game’s last word when Josh Stewart finished off a flowing back line move with a well taken try in the right hand corner, to bring the final score to 44-22.

With just two league games left to play, Bangor now sit in second place and will be hoping to consolidate that position when they travel to City of Derry next weekend.