This local derby between the 3rd XVs of Bangor and Ards lived up to its billing and served up an exciting and competitive game. As the teams ran out, it looked like it would be a battle between the size and experience of Ards against the youth and enthusiasm of Bangor. It was also obvious that the strong wind blowing directly down the length of the pitch would be a major factor in where the game would be played.

With the wind at their backs, Bangor kicked off. It soon became clear that the big Ards men were having the upper hand up front, and soon rumbled over for the opening try. Bangor's good positional kicking and steady build-ups eventually paid off with a powerful drive from Seth Crawley that saw him touch down under the Ards posts. With Davy Charles adding the conversion, Bangor had their noses in front by 7-5, and this is how it remained until half time, despite further attacks from the home side.

The game continued to see-saw through the second half, as Bangor pressed forward with the ball in hand, whereas Ards used the wind to take play into Bangor's twenty two with several wind-assisted positional kicks. With two converted tries for Ards and two for Bangor through Davy Charles and Cameron Heath (one of which was converted) the score was level at 19-19. On more than one occasion it looked like Bangor would break free, only to see a loose pass go to ground. However, in the dying seconds, Bangor's rucking came to the fore when their pressure forced an Ards player to hold onto the ball when tackled. The penalty was reasonably straight but long, and the stiff breeze was likely to be a problem. Undeterred, Davy Charles kept his kick for goal straight and low and, as it cleared the posts, the Bangor players could celebrate a confidence-boosting win.

Given the 1st XVs similar experience last weekend in having to fight back from having been behind, the determination of the players across the whole senior squad cannot be denied, and augers well as they strive to continue their winning performances.