Despite ending up on the wrong side of a 29-22 scoreline, Bangor 2nds go forward in the Harden Cup as a result of UUC having to concede for fielding an ineligible player.
CLICK HERE for the shots
Hot on the heels of having won the Junior League 3 title, Bangor 2nds found themselves unexpectedly in the preliminary round of the Harden Cup, contested between the 6 winning Junior League clubs. Having quickly assembled a team, and in glorious conditions at UUC, hopes were high that the winning streak would continue. However, although narrowly outscored by 29-22, the home side had fielded an ineligible player and therefore had no option but to finally concede, thus sending Bangor through to the semi finals next week.
With the wind at their backs, UUC got the game underway and immediately looked the sharper side as they applied most of the pressure within Bangor’s half. Bangor slowly got into their stride and started to close in on the UUC goal line. Although they came close on a couple of occasions, they were let down by poor handling at the decisive moments.
On the half hour mark, Bangor’s poor tackling and indecisive rucking provided UUC with a turn-over which led to a clear run to the posts for a converted try, 7-0. However, within just 5 minutes, Bangor responded with a good backline move which saw Craig Harpur touch down in the right hand corner. Jordan de Plege’s difficult kick was missed, bringing the score to 7-5.
Just 3 minutes later, James Ferguson set off on a determined cross field run but was stopped 5 metres from the line by a high tackle. From the resulting penalty, De Plege kicked for touch. From this range, the Bangor lineout and driving maul has proved an effective scoring tool, and this was no exception. The lineout was taken cleanly by Ryan Meeke, the maul then formed and drove over the line allowing Matty Coey to drop on the ball and score. Although the kick was missed, the score has swung in Bangor’s favour by 7-10 as the first half drew to a close.
Bangor got the second half underway, no doubt emboldened by their late comeback in the first half. From the kick-off, UUC collected the ball and gave it to their useful scrum half who hoisted a high kick towards the Bangor twenty two. Although it looked like this was adequately covered by 2 Bangor players, the bounce of the ball and indecision when in possession, resulted in a penalty being conceded. The quick tap and go brought UUC right up to Bangor’s line and following a couple of attacking phases, UUC broke through to score under the posts. The simple kick went over taking UUC back into the lead by 14-10.
Bangor responded with immediate effect. From the restart, Bangor were quickly up in support, and forced UUC to concede a penalty. Just as in the first half, De Plege kicked for touch. Although further out from the UUC line, the lineout and maul worked again, with Matty Coey once more with the ball as they went over the line close on the left hand side. The conversion was successful, putting Bangor back in front by 14-17.
A few minutes later, with 10 minutes of the second half gone, Bangor were once again on the attack and just inside the UUC twenty two. From a ruck, the ball came to Matt Baillie who, instead of passing it across the back line, opted to nip between the ruck and the UUC scrum half. Showing great pace and determination, he ran clear to score to the left of the UUC posts. The kick was missed, but the lead had now been extended to 14-22.
At this point, Bangor were beginning to look more in control. However, more loose play and poor tackling was to cost them dearly. Within minutes of the restart, Bangor gave away another penalty, this time in front of their posts. The kick was taken, reducing the lead to just 5 points. Then, just 5 minutes later, poor Bangor tackling and good movement by the UUC backs resulted in an overlap which resulted in a UUC try. Although unconverted, the scores were now level at 22-22.
With 20 minutes of play remaining, the game was wide open again. Both sides had chances but were let down by passing and handling errors at crucial phases of play. As the game entered the final 5 minutes of normal time, the prospect of extra time was looming. However, once more Bangor paid the price of ineffective tackling which, instead of halting a UUC attack, gave them enough time and space to get the ball to their speedy winger who ran in unopposed to score under the posts. With the conversion, UUC were now ahead by 29-22.
Although Bangor tried to stage another quick response, it was not to be as the referee blew for full time a few minutes later. Dejected Bangor faces told their own story, as this was a game they should have won given their performances earlier in the league. Perhaps the lack of game time in recent weeks and the short notice of this fixture were contributory factors. However there is no denying that the poor tackling and rucking were the main causes of failure today.
But the topsey turvey sequence of events that has surrounded this Bangor side over the season had another twist. It had been noticed that the UUC scrum half was, in fact, a Grosvenor player. Whatever the reason for fielding this player, when the UUC coaching staff and referee were made aware of this, they had little option but to concede defeat, and in so doing send Bangor through to the semi finals.
Although it is unfortunate for UUC to ‘lose’ in such fashion, they can still celebrate their league success and look forward to their promotion to Junior 5 next season. As for Bangor, they can think themselves lucky to have gone through, but it will take a lot more than luck if they hope to progress further in this competition.
Bangor scores: C Harpur (1T), M Coey (2T), M Baillie (1T), J de Plege (1C)
