Bangor stun hosts with seven tries
AFTER grabbing plenty of prematch attention through the appointment of Craig Gilroy and Stuart McCloskey as assistant coaches, Bangor followed this up by delivering a stunning seven-try thumping away to Malahide.
The Division 2C side, with new playing head coach Michael Ferguson in charge for his first AIL game, took their hosts apart to win 44-19 in a result few saw coming and did so with four teenagers making their AIL debuts for the club.
Flanker James Henly and centre Phil Broderick got over to claim two tries each with Andrew Shaw, Nathan Graham and Mark Widdowson claiming the other scores though the big score still wasn’t quite enough to put Bangor top after Midleton’s win over Bruff brought the Co Cork side a slightly healthier points differential.
Being the only Ulster club in Division 2A, Queen’s University needed to lay down a marker at the Dub but only managed to collect a losing bonus point against Old Crescent. The newly promoted Limerick side finished 21-19 ahead.
Rainey Old Boys were badly shaken up in their first outing in 2B after travelling to Barnhall and surprisingly getting turned over by 36-14.
The Magherafelt side, who were almost promoted last season, coughed up six tries to their hosts and were 29-0 down at the break.
They came back to 29-14 following tries from Michael McCusker and Paul Pritchard, both converted by Andy Magrath, but there was no way back after Barnhall scored again.
Belfast Harlequins continued their good form with a 1511 victory at Galway Corinthians while, also in 2B, Dungannon opened their account by beating visitors Skerries 28-25.
Bangor weren’t the only winners in 2C as City of Derry helped put last season’s dismal affair by beating Tullamore 29-15 at Judges Road. Omagh were not so fortunate but managed to take a losing bonus point from their 23-19 reverse at Ballina.
2A: QUB 19 Old Crescent 21
2B: Corinthians 11 Quins 15; Dungannon 28 Skerries 25; Barnhall 36 Rainey 14
2C: Ballina 23 Omagh 19; Derry 29 Tullamore 15; Malahide 19 Bangor 44