Donaghadee 2nds 3 – 8 Bangor 2nds
Fixture: League
Date: Saturday 29th October 2011 KO: 14:30
Delight at the Dee
Match Photos CLICK HERE
Another eagerly anticipated visit to Donaldson Park didn’t disappoint the travelling Bangor supporters as they saw the visitors win by 8 points to 3.
Bangor 2nd xv travelled to our near rivals Donaghadee 2nd xv in what some may see as the must win game of the season, not because it’s the end of the season clincher but the healthy rivalry we both have for each other on the rugby field. Bangor kicked off and gave an excellent chase to put Donaghadee under immediate pressure. The Bangor team camped themselves in the Donaghadee’s 22 for most of the first half – indeed it was a good 25 minutes before Bangor were awarded a penalty on the Dee’s 10 yard line, which was duly converted by Alan Andrews giving Bangor the lead 3-0. The Dee restarted and for the first time put some pressure on the Bangor line. Both the Bangor forwards and backs put on a tremendous display of defending rugby.
The Dee had a good number of sorties on the Bangor line but to no avail, as the Bangor pack played some safe rugby and cleared their line. With 5 minutes to go to half time the Bangor pack won and secured the ball from a ruck, the ball was moved quickly along the back line for Mat Coey to score. Alan Andrews missed the difficult conversion, but Bangor’s lead was now 8-0. Just before half time Alan Andrews had the chance to put Bangor further ahead, but from a tight angle he went narrowly wide, and the referee brought first half proceedings to an end. It was now down to the coaching staff of Coops and Addy to set about dissecting the first half.
CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF III XV
Bangor received the kick off in the second half and, after an initial mistake by Bangor, allowed Donaghadee a rare sortie into Bangor’s half. The away team soon took control and moved the game back into the Donaghadee half, again putting pressure on the home teams line. Once again Bangor camped themselves in the Dee’s 22, but after some resolute defending Donaghadee started to apply pressure on the Bangor team. Donaghadee won the ball and it was moved out quickly to their backs who broke the Bangor line only to be stopped in their tracks by the fine tackling of captain Andrew Brisbane, who once more showed his leadership on the field. With 25 minutes gone in the second half Donaghadee were awarded a penalty – this was converted leaving the score Bangor 8 Donaghdee 3. Mid way through the second half the Bangor team were looking comfortable, the pack were majestic, presenting good ball to the backs who on another day would have run in a plethora of trys. You could put it down to excellent defending by Donaghadee, but in my opinion we let them off with lacklustre finishing. With minutes to go Bangor attacked Donaghadee’s line, only to be foiled by yet more resolute defending by the home team. Minutes later, the referee blew his final whistle to finish the game.
It was a fine day with both Bangor teams putting Donaghadee to the sword. The mighty Gryphons won by a healthy 50-0. Well done to all involved – I’m sure Digger and Vinny are both happy with that one. Both Bangor teams shared the post match song – I have been associated with Bangor for a long time now and I’ve never heard it sung with such gusto. If you were soft hearted it would have brought a tear to your eye.
A big thanks to our travelling support, I know the teams don’t always show their gratitude but they really do appreciate it.
Great performance at CIYMS By Bangor Gryphons
Match Photos CLICK HERE
Bangor Gryphons ran in six tries against CIYMS to finish 40-0 winners in their Minor League game on Saturday.
Bangor travelled with a handful of forwards and extra backs and thanks to a number of players accepting to try very different positions from their usual a full side took the field. Two quick tries settled the team and everyone got stuck in to the bigger, more fancied CI team. The most pleasing element of the performance was the absolute determination to shut out the opposition. Six tries,five conversions, lots of tackling and great determination capped the finest display of rugby by the Gryphons yet!
(report by John Langtry)
