After a two-week break, JKC/Causeway Geotech-sponsored Ballymoney 1st XV travelled to Upritchard Park to face Bangor on a wet Saturday afternoon. Currie, Beattie and Jackson started in the front row, with skipper Brown partnering Stevenson in the second row and a back row of Jack McAuley, Orr and Scott. McCamphill and Carson were the half-backs, Irwin and Boyd lined up in the centres, with Hawthorne, Robbie and Tyler McNeill completing the starting XV. George McAuley, Lamb and Bell began the game on the bench.

Ballymoney got off to a disappointing start, losing skipper Brown to a knee injury after five minutes and he was replaced by George McAuley. However, on ten minutes, following a catch-and-drive lineout, the ball was shifted across to the centre and Owen Boyd beat a number of tackles to score below the posts. Paddy Carson added the conversion.

On fifteen minutes, the Toon men doubled their lead, again from a lineout inside the Bangor 22. Beattie broke before offloading to Marty Irwin, who crossed for the try. Carson again converted.

Bangor narrowed the gap on 25 minutes with an unconverted try and, just on the half-time whistle, scored again to leave the score at 14–12 at the interval.

The second half started well for Money, with a try just five minutes in. Andy Jackson crossed the line following a tap penalty five metres out.

With Bangor pushing hard to get back into the game, a Paddy Carson interception just inside his own half gave him the opportunity to race clear and score try number four below the posts. He duly added the conversion to leave the score at 26–12 midway through the half.

Bangor hit back in the final 20 minutes, scoring three tries to turn the game on its head and take a 31–26 lead with four minutes remaining, as the Toon defence were unable to keep the home side at bay. However, with minutes left on the clock, the Toon men showed great resilience in attack. At a ruck just outside the Bangor 22, Lewis Hawthorne spotted a minuscule gap, burst through and crashed over between the posts to level the score at 31–31, leaving Carson to slot the conversion with the final play of the game and seal a 33–31 victory.

“A much-needed victory today,” said Marty Irwin after the game. “At this critical stage of the season, it’s all about the result. We played very well in parts but were also poor on occasions. However, we’ll enjoy the win and move on to Omagh at Kilraughts Road. We’re fighting hard at the moment, and securing all five points today was imperative. Every point matters as we battle to push our way out of danger.

“Thanks again to those who braved the conditions to support us — we truly appreciate all your support.”