Five-try Bangor kick off home campaign with a fine win

Rugby Union – BUCS Northern 2A

Bangor University 35 (T: Davies 2, Aitchison 2, Donougher. C: Davies 4, Donougher)

Manchester University 17

In their first home game of the season BUWRU made it two wins in three starts in the higher league with an impressive display against Manchester.

From the off, strong runners made good ground for Bangor, but the away side’s menacing work around the breakdown led to a turnover and penalty.

Forcing the hosts back on their own line, Manchester quickly capitalized and got the first try of the day.

This try kick-started the Bangor side, who immediately began to put pressure on in defence, smashing runners back and winning a turnover.

This allowed the backs to get their hands on the ball and Kate Davies cut through the opposition for Bangor’s first try, adding the conversion to make it 7-5.

Replying so quickly rallied Bangor, who were relentless in defence, with turnovers from the likes of Abi Coleman and Stevie Donougher giving runners from the forwards and the backs opportunity to break the line and cause trouble for the Mancs.

These strong runs combined with perfectly-timed offloads from Wiktoria Burek and others saw the ball in Donougher’s hands, the Australian sprinting down the wing for Bangor’s second try, finished off with her signature one-handed put down. Davies converted, taking the score to 14-5 at half time.

Manchester came out fighting after the break and despite some superb tackling from Abi Coleman, the visitors managed to get a second try, this time adding the conversion.

Bangor forwards continued to decimate the opposition scrum, this sustained pressure wearing the defence down and creating gaps for the side-stepping backs.

Davies once again slid through a gap to score another fantastic try, which she improved with the boot.

Soon Bangor were back in possession and a strong run from Abi Cousins saw her offload the ball to full-back Holly Aitchison, who wasted no time adding her name to the try sheet, the Davies extras making the score 28-12.

After the restart, Bangor found themselves pinned back in their own 22, the forwards absorbing Manchester’s pressure and winning the physical battle.

Safe hands from the backs put the ball once again into the hands of Aitchison, who flew the length of the pitch, scoring with no chasing defenders anywhere near her.

Donougher stepped up to take the conversion and slotted it beautifully – not bad for a first attempt.

Manchester desperately fought their way back, putting boot to ball to gain territory, but Bangor stayed calm. However, good team-work did lead to the English team getting a late consolation score..

BUWRU forward of the match was Abi Coleman, for beating countless defenders, and her relentless work in defence, hard hits and causing trouble for Manchester at the breakdown.

Back of the match went to Stevie Donougher for not only making serious ground in attack, but for clever heads-up rugby, big tackles and well placed kicks.

Manchester chose Kate Davies as their player of the match, for her dangerous running lines, quick hands and strong defence.

Bangor’s record in 2A now stands at two wins, 29-7 at Hallam and 35-17 v Manchester, and a 24-14 defeat at Lancaster.

Bangor University

1 Abi Coleman
2 Tash P-J
3 Wiktoria Burek
4 Jessica Mundin
5 Abi Jeffrey
6 Bea O’Neill
7 Erica Mullins
8 Mali Edwards
9 Erin Allen
10 Abi Cousins
11 Lise Baca
12 Kate Davies
13 Eloise Kirby
14 Stevie Donougher
15 Holly Aitchison

IMPACT PLAYERS
16 Mia Knight
17 Megan Crosby
18 Sam Goad
19 Ellie Twiggs
20 Bethany Davies
21 Phoebe Jardine
22 Maren Bick-Maurischat