Carrick won the toss and decided to kick. The next 20 minutes of play were evenly contested with both teams competing to gain and retain the ball with play moving from 22 to 22. Both teams defended well with pressure applied from line speed and first up tackles forcing handling errors from both teams and preventing scores.

In the final few minutes of the first half Carrick’s counter rucking secured the ball and the Carrick 7 picked up the ball evaded a number of tackles, broke through the Bangor line and scored to the right of the posts, which was not converted. As the half time whistle went the score was Bangor 0 Carrick 5.

As Bangor kicked off to start the second half a determined Carrick forced a knock on and with advantage being played the ball was passed quickly to their number 12 who stepped a couple of tackles to score under the posts, which was converted. Bangor 0 – Carrick 12. The next 10 minutes saw Bangor work their way down to the Carrick 5 metre line. Good defence by Carrick forced Bangor to gave away a penalty enabling Carrick to clear their lines.

Shortly after this passage of play Bangor won a scrum and as the ball was being passed along the backs the Carrick 12 shot the line, intercepted the pass and ran 60 meters to score under the posts. Bangor 0 Carrick 19.

Good pressure from Carrick forced Bangor to concede a penalty, a quick tap and go and good inter-play between their forwards and backs lead to their number 7 breaking Bangor’s line to score. Not converted Bangor 0 Carrick 24.

With a few minutes left to play Bangor earned a scrum on the half way line. With the ball won it was quickly passed to Sean Hynes who broke through 2 tackles to score out wide to the left of the posts. The try was not converted and the final whistle was blown. Final Score Bangor 5 – Carrick 24.

The final score does not reflect the Bangor performance. Although disappointing for the boys they should not be too downhearted. It was not only a good team performance but there were some excellent individual performances and bodes well for the rest of the season.

[Report courtesy of Drew Kennedy]