Bangor Rugby I XV 23 v Ballymena Rugby II XV 8

Bangor celebrated their first home win of the season, a 23-8 win against Ballymena 2nds in Conference League 1 at Upritchard Park on Saturday. Bangor led 13-5 at half time, using wind advantage to build up a lead from an early Alan Andrews penalty goal and a couple of tries from Pete Rodgers and Davy Charles (photo), split by a try from one of the Ballymena centres. Although Ballymena bossed most of the second half, Bangor extended their lead with another Andrews penalty goal, before Ballymena kicked a simple penalty goal with fifteen minutes to play. A determined Bangor didn’t let Ballymena out of their own half for the remainder of the match and their pressure was rewarded with a fine try by skipper Rob McCausland, converted by Alan Andrews, with a couple of minutes remaining. The 3rds lost a thriller against Ballymena 5ths in the semi-final of the McCambley Cup by 21-20, with both sides tied 7-7 at half time.