Narrow defeat for Coleraine

A losing bonus point seems scant reward for a match in which Coleraine held the advantage for much of the match but were unable to convert the pressure into points. The Bannsiders were in the lead at the break but ended the match on the wrong side of a 10-15 scoreline.

The overnight frost quickly cleared at Sandel Lodge on Saturday morning and the matches got underway in cold but still conditions. As an opener the mini rugby section put on a great display of rugby before welcoming the senior teams onto the pitch.

Both teams worked hard but the first points came from a sustained Bangor attack on 13 minutes. Working from their own scrum ten metres out, the visitors powered their way over the line. The conversion slipped just wide of the posts.

Bangor had another chance with a penalty on 22 minutes but again they were off-target.

Coleraine attacked persistently but all too often they saw territorial advantage lost to indiscipline, taking the pressure off the visitors as they kicked for touch in reply.

Almost on the blow for half time Coleraine put in a blistering attack, Nigel Hall penetrating deeply into the opposition 22. Coleraine followed up and seemed to have scored under the posts but the referee adjudged the try to have been held up.

Coleraine kept the pressure on and from the resultant five metre scrum the ball was fed to a charging Paul Shiels to slip over the line for five points. Nial Irwin slotted the ball over for the extras, leaving the half time score 7-5 to Coleraine.

In the second half an early penalty opportunity for Coleraine fell just short of the posts but the visitors made no mistake six minutes into the half and claimed three points from 25 metres to reclaim the lead. Thirteen minutes in Bangor hit the posts with another penalty effort, the ball rebounding into play.

With just over half an hour gone Bangor made the decisive score of the match as a solid build up set them up deep in the Coleraine 22 and an incisive break saw a score beside the posts. The conversion followed.

Coleraine immediately attacked and were rewarded with a penalty just outside the Bangor 22. The clock was against the Bannsiders and they opted for a penalty conversion and three points, making sure of the bonus point, as the referee blew the whistle for full time. Final score Coleraine 10 Bangor 15.

The result effectively secures Bangor in the middle of the league table but Coleraine remain stuck to the bottom.

The situation seems rather bleak with matches against Ballymoney, Clogher Valley, Dromore and two against Armagh to come. All four sides have performed strongly throughout the season and there is no sign of a let up at this stage.

Having said that the Coleraine squad are still highly committed and will be working hard in training this week ahead of a home encounter against Armagh on Saturday. There is still a great determination in the camp and they will be looking to upset the form book with a win against Armagh.

The match starts at 2.30pm and a big turn out of supporters will give the team the boost they need.

Coleraine: S Jefferson (N Brocklehurst), N Montgomery, S Bartlett, J Gault, C Smyth, D Taylor, S Dickey, B Butugan, P Roxborough, N Irwin, D Smyth, G Cochrane, C McNay (P Bogle), N Hall, P Shiels. Subs: N Brocklehurst, P Bogle.