BANGOR Rugby narrowly missed out on local bragging rights in the opening match of the 2026/27 Championship 1 season, losing to Ards in the first competitive meeting between the rivals since 2014.
The new season could not have started with a more eagerly anticipated local derby than league newcomers Ards hosting neighbours Bangor at Lansdowne Road.
Although conditions were wet and miserable, the large crowd of spectators were hoping for a closely-fought match, worthy of the occasion, and they certainly were not left disappointed.
Ards got the game started and immediately went on the offensive, as Bangor struggled to get out of their own 22.
The early home pressure was quickly rewarded with an unconverted try, after just three minutes of play. However, Bangor were equally quick to reply, with Ollie Armstrong forcing a try four minutes later and Josh Carman adding the conversion.
The visitors’ lead proved to be short-lived though, as Ards scored again after 13 minutes and, with the added conversion, regained the lead at 12-7.
Undeterred, Bangor hit back with some strong forward moves, which were eventually finished off by captain Mike Weir crashing over to level the scoring.
The game seemed to settle somewhat after the frantic opening but burst back into life when a darting 40-metre run from Ryan Young saw him cut through the Ards defence to score a superb solo try.
Carman was on hand to add the conversion, which put Bangor back into the lead at 19-12, after 30 minutes of play.
From the restart, Bangor looked ready to go on the attack again, but when the ball was knocked out of their hands, it gave the home side an unexpected opportunity to counter-attack.
Although Bangor managed to scramble back and cover the immediate danger, it was not long before Ards took full advantage of their situation, restoring parity with a converted try before the half-time whistle.
Bangor got the second half underway and were quickly on the offensive. They were unlucky not to score again after four minutes, when Jamie Thallon broke through the Ards defence, but a try-stopping tackle, within inches of the goal line, saved the home side.
Still, good forward pressure, especially in the scrums, soon earned Bangor their bonus point try, when the referee awarded them a penalty try after Ards collapsed a scrum under their own posts.
As the game entered its final quarter, a chip over the Bangor defence was well taken by Young, but the quick Ards follow-up forced him to carry the ball over his own line.
The hosts sensed another unexpected opportunity and, as they piled on the pressure, a quick tap penalty saw them dive over from short distance, grabbing their bonus point try and squaring the game at 26-26.
There was still time for one more incident to determine the final outcome. Having successfully defended their lines, Bangor were quick to follow-up the clearance kick, only to suffer a penalty for what looked like an innocuous tackle on the 10-metre line.
Opting for the kick at goal, the Ards’ was on target, giving his side a slim advantage at 29-26, with the final whistle fast approaching.
Despite Bangor’s valiant efforts in the closing minutes, it was Ards who could celebrate a remarkable bonus point victory.
Such is the scheduling of fixtures in this league, Bangor will have to wait until the final game of the season to try and avenge this defeat. In the meantime, they can look forward to a home game against Dromore on Saturday, hoping to improve on this performance.
