Close but important win at CIYMS
by Roger Corbett
With wind, rain and a heavy pitch to contend with, Bangor stood up well to a tough encounter at CIYMS. In a close game that see-sawed between the sides, it was a late push by Bangor that made the difference, and resulted in a 13-15 victory.
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With wind, rain and a heavy pitch to contend with, Bangor stood up well to a tough encounter at CIYMS. In a close game that see-sawed between the sides, it was a late push by Bangor that made the difference, and resulted in a 13-15 victory.
Given the conditions prior to and during the game, credit must go to the ground staff at Belmont in order that this fixture could be played. With both sides wanting to play – CIYMS needing a game after a 3 week break and wanting to close the gap to the leading pack, and Bangor keeping their momentum going in a bid to secure their top 4 league spot – there was certainly much to play for. With a stronger pack than had been available at the earlier meeting between these sides, CIYMS were hoping to avenge Bangor’s comfortable win at Upritchard Park a few weeks earlier.
Bangor kicked off with the wind and rain at their backs, and within 2 minutes had won a penalty which was well taken by Neil Cuthbertson to give the visitors an early lead of 0-3. A further 5 minutes later, Bangor won another penalty from the CIYMS 10 metre line. With help from the wind, the kick had the length, but just drifted wide of the posts.
Pretty soon the CIYMS game plan became clear – keep it in the forwards, and make ground by way of repeated pick and drives. In fact during the early stages of the game, the battle of the forwards looked worrying for Bangor supporters, with the big but mobile CIYMS pack making life difficult for the visitors. On the other hand, it was the Bangor backs who showed more enterprise when in possession. This contrast in play came to the fore when, after a lengthy spell of CIYMS forward pressure, the ball was knocked on and possession came back to Bangor. Using the advantage, Jason Morgan broke clear before passing wide to Mark Widdowson on the left wing. A perfectly timed pass inside to Davy Charles completely split the retreating CIYMS defence, allowing a clear run to score under the posts. With Cuthbertson’s conversion, the score had now moved to 0-10 in Bangor’s favour, with 18 minutes of the game played.
Sensing that a bigger advantage might be needed before CIYMS had their spell with the wind in the second half, Bangor continued to press forward and, although camped deep in the CIYMS twenty two for almost 5 minutes, were unable to break through the strong defence. Bangor did come close as the first half came to a close, when Mike Aspley produced a good break through the centre. Unfortunately his pass to Widdowson in close support was just forward and the chance was lost.
Bangor’s worst fears were realised as the second half got underway. In a repeat of the first half, CIYMS won a quick penalty which they converted to make the score 3-10. Then, after 12 minutes of play, they capitalised on a loose ball in Bangor’s twenty two and took full advantage of a disrupted Bangor defence to score and convert a try, levelling the score at 10-10.
Bangor had an opportunity soon afterwards to move ahead again after another incisive back line move started by full back Davy Charles. Having done the hard work by taking the ball deep into CIYMS territory, his final pass to Widdowson went adrift. Although this chance had been missed, Bangor’s enterprise and varied play in the face of dogged CIYMS forward drives provided hope that another such attack would produce results.
However, with just 10 minutes of normal time remaining, the game suddenly swung in the home side’s advantage. From well inside the CIYMS half, a chip from the back of a Bangor ruck was charged down. Having gathered the ball, CIYMS set off down their right wing before being stopped by the Bangor defence. However, in killing the ball Bangor conceded a penalty which CIYMS duly converted to take the lead for the first time in the game by 13-10.
Bangor have produced some outstanding performances this season, with arguably their best coming when behind on the scoreboard. It was therefore no surprise that from the restart, Bangor produced a sustained onslaught that had the home side battling for survival in their own twenty two. What was perhaps more remarkable was the fact that it was the Bangor forwards who were now asking the questions of their counterparts. With CIYMS now conceding several penalties, and denied the chance to produce long clearance kicks, Bangor continues to turn the screw. Knowing that a 3 point penalty was not acceptable, the Bangor pack opted to pick and go. Although CIYMS defended bravely, eventually a concerted drive by Phil Whyte supported by several forwards, produced the push needed to get over the line and score. Although Cuthbertson’s conversion attempt was unsuccessful, Bangor had regained the lead by 13-15.
The final few minutes of play produced some tense flurries between the sides, but it was Bangor who managed to play these out the better, denying their opponents a further scoring opportunity. The final whistle was met with delight and despair in equal measure, but the spectators had been treated to an exciting game from which both sides can take credit.
Bangor’s next challenge will be to repeat their earlier success against Dromore when they meet at Upritchard Park next Saturday.
Bangor side: P Whyte, A Jackson, J Harrison, A Rushe, R Corbett (F Black), J Henly, R Latimer, J Clegg (c), R Armstrong, J Morgan, M Widdowson, G Irwin, M Aspley, N Cuthbertson, D Charles
Subs: F Black, P Dornan
Bangor scores: D Charles (1T), P Whyte (1T), N Cuthbertson (1C, 1P)
