Win against Skins extends Bangor’s QL2 lead
Bangor produced a strong performance against Enniskillen to gain revenge for their only league defeat of the season away at Mullaghmeen, winning by 31-10 with a bonus point and putting more pressure on league rivals Ballyclare.
In perfect playing conditions, Bangor produced a strong performance against Enniskillen to gain revenge for their only league defeat of the season away at Mullaghmeen, winning by 31-10 with a bonus point and putting more pressure on league rivals Ballyclare.
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In perfect playing conditions, with a slight breeze blowing across the pitch towards the Bloomfield Road, Enniskillen got this vital league game underway. The earlier encounter was one Bangor would want to forget, having paid the price for a sluggish first half and, despite winning the second period, suffering their only league defeat this season. Although this was a disappointing performance, it drove home the message that a getting into gear from the off is vital. This was immediately evident as Bangor brought play back into Enniskillen territory and denied their visitors any change of meaningful possession or attack. The first scrum was met with anticipation – although missing a regular front row prop, Ben Worthington proved to be a worthy (!) replacement. The young Skins pack were under pressure, but worked hard at the back of the scrum to secure their ball, although in a slow and messy fashion. Within 6 minutes, Bangor forced the first Skins mistake, giving Chris Morgan a kick for goal from the left of the posts, which he converted to give Bangor the lead by 3-0.
Despite some speculative kicking by Skins for their wingers to chase, Bangor’s defence was sound and repeatedly returned play to their opponent’s half. Having won another penalty, Jason Morgan kicked for touch. The resulting lineout was won by Darren Lyttle, and then the drive started. This well worked move has produced many points before, and this was to be no different. Although momentarily stopped by the Skins forwards, Bangor got the power on once more and drove over the line for Worthington to touch down for the try. The tricky conversion from the left hand touchline, and with a cross wind to contend with, was expertly taken by Morgan to extend the lead to 10-0.
Enniskillen responded well, and started to show enterprise through their backs. Although the Bangor tackling was equal to the Skins attack, they were unlucky to concede a high tackle in front of their own posts, giving the Skins a simple kick to reduce the lead to 10-3, with 22 minutes played.
Although 7 points ahead, the lead could hardly be described as comfortable, even though Bangor had enjoyed much of the first half possession. Hopes were therefore raised when Bangor were awarded a scrum just 5 metres from the Enniskillen line. If the spectators were expecting the pack to push over for a try, they were surprised when the Skins pack turned the tables and started to push Bangor back. Thankfully, Bangor managed to secure the ball and adopted plan B which saw Jason Morgan produce one of his weaving runs to evade the Enniskillen defence and score under the posts. The straightforward conversion pushed Bangor’s lead to 17-3, as the first half came to an end.
Just as Bangor had started the first half with vigour, so Enniskillen responded from Bangor’s restart. The game lost much of its flow as the penalty count on both sides started to mount up. It was also strange to see so many lineout throws deemed crooked by the referee, especially as the wind had all but gone. The frustration felt by many on the touchline was no doubt felt on the pitch, in particular when a great run by Jason Morgan was knocked on at the last minute with only a few metres to go to the opposition line.
However, the next score was worth waiting for. With 17 minutes gone, Bangor had a scrum on the Enniskillen 10 metre line. Having won the ball, it was quickly passed from Armstrong to Morgan and then to Mike Aspley. Having produced a strong break and slipped from the tacklers’ grip, Aspley’s route to the Enniskillen line was blocked by their full back. With Matt Leebody outside him, the option to pass inside was obvious. However, a wonderful dummy completely wrong footed the Skins defence, leaving a clear run to score under the posts. Once again, Chris Morgan added the extras making the lead more comfortable at 24-3.
With the victory almost in sight, Bangor stepped up the pressure once more to now go for another try which would bring the reward of a bonus point. As the forwards pressed forward, Enniskillen suffered a yellow card for one of their players killing the ball. Unusually, Bangor made a hash of the resulting penalty and quickly found themselves back in their own twenty two. However, within a couple of minutes, Enniskillen conceded a penalty from a good attacking position. Their annoyance was evident, resulting in another yellow card by the referee for dissent.
To Enniskillen’s credit, although now reduced to 13 men, they managed to contain Bangor’s attacks. However, just as the Skins got their first sin-binned player back, Bangor worked a good flowing move involving several forwards and backs, eventually getting the ball to Jason Morgan about 10 metres out. His determination and strength was too much for the desperate Skins defence resulting in his second try and, more importantly, a valuable bonus point. With Chris Morgan’s conversion, the score was now 31-3 with just 10 minutes remaining.
Enniskillen were now playing to restore some pride, and pressed into Bangor’s half. In the ensuing attacks, Bangor received a yellow card for a tackle the referee considered was dangerous. As the clock counted down, Bangor defended well. However, as the game moved towards the final play, Bangor found themselves not only with a player in the sin bin, but two others receiving treatment while the game was still in progress. The Bangor defence is good, but the 3 man deficit was too much to make up and Enniskillen made the difference count by going over for a try with the last play of the game. The added conversion brought the final score to 31-10.
Enniskillen are a hard team to play, and Bangor will be delighted to have come through this encounter with a bonus point win. Now with a 7 point lead at the top of the league, and having played the same number of games as nearest rival Ballyclare, Bangor need to maintain their concentration to finish at the top and gain promotion to QL1. The importance of touchline support cannot be overstated. As the season draws to a close, all members and friends of the club are encouraged to come along and see how Bangor have matured and are now a force to be reckoned with. Keep checking the website for details of these last remaining fixtures, and plan to be there!
Bangor team: C Schofield, P Dornan, B Worthington, F Black, C Stewart, N Hatton, J Clegg, D Lyttle, R Armstrong (c), J Morgan, S Addy, M Aspley, M Leebody, D Charles, C Morgan
Bangor scores: B Worthington (1T), J Morgan (2T), M Aspley (1T), C Morgan (1P, 4C)
