Ballyclare R.F.C. had three club sides involved in Cup rugby on Saturday but only the Veteran Fourth XV managed a win and an historic one as they got the better of Ballymena 5th XV for the first time in the past few seasons at a wet Cloughan in the third round of the McCambley Cup and the fact that the Eaton Park side are the holders could give the Clare men a real chance of the Ravenhiull final–they are now through to the quarter finals. However the club 1st XV suffered their first loss since 5th November away to a good Omagh team who will have to be faced again in a key league game-on Saturday this Towns Cup tie was lost 30-7 with the Tyrone men controlling the second half on a pitch which was scarcely playable. The Clare Thirds were also at Omagh in the Crawford Cup played on an even worse surface and went down after an heroic performance to Omagh 2nd Xv who play two Sections higher than Tony Turner`s team. Ballyclare had to call off the Under 19 XV game versus Larne as coach Byers only had eight fit players available.
Ballyclare Fourths 6 Ballymena Fifths 0
This was an eagerly awaited McCambley Cup third round game as the Fourths have assembled a strong and extremely experienced outfit this season to have a real tilt at the trophy and so far they are unbeaten in their league and cup runs. Ballymena arrived as holders and last year recorded three wins over the Clare Veterans but on the day the White Hares refused to take a backward step at times against powerful tactics which led to a good number of penalties to the home team. An early penalty to the Fourths for off side allowed the home backs to surge into the opposition 22 only to have fly half McDonald tackled hard leading to temporary concussion and he had to be replaced by Lyle Andrew with Reynolds moving to out half.When the Braidmen came forward the threat was halted as Watson cleared his lines. But the holders were awarded a penalty in a good position only for the out half to hit a post and the Clare were fortunate to prevent a try as the visitors pack drove towards the line. Again Watson cleared the danger and great work from Gaston,Logan and Wright took play almost to the opposite 22 where Ballymena were penalised and full back Wasson cooly slotted over the kick to go 3-0 up. Minutes later a second late tackle by Ballymena this time on Reynolds brought another penalty and Wasson did the business to make it 6-0 at half time to Ballyclare.
The Ballymena pack started the second half with McBride driving into the home 22 but great work by Wright ,Fletcher and Logan forced a turn over and Wasson cleard to halfway. There were strong tackles from Lamont and Barnett to halt another attack from the holders and Wasson made ground from a short penalty and a good run from Clarke took play well into Ballymena territory. Ballyclare were winning clean lineout ball from Watson and he also began to force the visitors to turn on a heavy surface by kicking deep from both set pieces and the loose. Ballymena had a penalty from close to the posts but the out half amazingly missed before eventually going off with a leg injury. Into the last quarter the Blacks forwards put on more pressure and one move had a try on the cards to be stopped by a great tackle from Morrow out wide.In the closing minutes the home defence from both backs and forwards was immense to halt the strong Ballymena forwards and the Fourths held out for a deserved 6-0 win and overall a superb team performance.
Ballyclare 4th XV-J.Wasson;T.Clarke,N.Lamont,D.Barnett,N.Reynolds,J.McDonald,C.Watson;T.Moore,J.Barnett,S.Crawford;T.Fletcher,B.Logan;H.Gaston,S.Wright,L.Andrew.
Omagh 1st XV 30 Ballyclare !st XV 7
For this Towns Cup tie on a sodden Mellon Park pitch Ballyclare were missing three regulars and they were replaced by Davy Tweed (prop),Kyle Norton (wing forward) and Ian Russell (out half). The first half was fairly evenly contested though it was the home side who got in for the first try which was converted to go 7-0 ahead. The Clare soon hit back with a well rehearsed back movement ending with J.J. Baird racing in to score at the posts and Collie Morrow convertedto level the scores. But Omagh again edged in front with a successful penalty. The visitors were unlucky not to equalise when was just wide from a penalty. At this stage Clare hooker Wylie and a home prop were sin binned and the visitors also lost full back Byers with an injury to be replaced by Jamie Crothers. At half time it remained at 10-7 to Omagh.
In the second half the condition of the ground worsened and eventually it became almost impossible to tell the difference between the two sets of jerseys due to the excessive mud.Omagh began to be able to turn over the Clare ball at times and this gave them the upper hand in the loose. They proceeded to drive over for three tries to make sure of reaching the quarter finals of the Cup.The Clare backs so often this season able to score tries at will saw little of the ball and were forced to defend with Jackson outstanding in his tackling.Baird also had a good game but the coach Bob Young and the team will be hoping for better ground conditions when they return to Omagh in March for what may be a vital league game.
Omagh 2nd XV 17 Ballyclare 3rd XV 5
For this Crawford Cup second round game Tony Turner`s Thirds gave a good overall performance against bigger and stronger opposition. They made a bright start when flanker Nigel Moore continued his come back from injury by driving over for a try which Alexander could not convert to go 5-0 ahead. The Thirds were again over the home line but the referee was unsighted and the try disallowed. Omagh managed to get in for atry which was converted before half time to lead 7-5. Early in the second half Omagh went further ahead with a second score and later added a penalty. The Thirds despite having to play on a porridge like surface reached the home line on three occassions but just failed to get in for tries and the Omagh side held out to win 17-5. According to team captain Turner the entire side really gave everything and he singled out Alexander,Reid,Dyer and Stevenson as all being outstanding.
Saturday Fixtures–1st XV v Lisburn (home)-there will be a pre match lunch; 3rd XV v Harlequins 3rdXV(away);4th XV v P.S.N.I.2nd XV (home)
FASHION SHOW
The Clare 1st XV have arranged a Fashion Show in conjunction with Jolis of Ballyclare to be held in the Clubhouse on Saturday 11th February at 7-30 p.m. This is in aid of the team`s Tour Fund.
