Lisburn fall to Ballyclare Lisburn 25 – Ballyclare 45
Following their loss to Carrick the previous week, Lisburn were looking to bounce back against League front runners Ballyclare at Blaris last week and for much of the game it looked as if they could gain the win which they were quite capable of. However, circumstances dictated otherwise. With Adam Hanley back at outhalf following injury, and Ally Finlay at scrumhalf for the first time this season, they got off to a great start with a simple David Scott penalty in front of the posts but over the next ten minutes they missed out on two slightly more difficult but kickable efforts which would have given them a buffer to rely on later in the game. On the fifteen minute mark a missed tackle allowed the big Clare number eight Rainey to charge unheeded to the Lisburn line and although stopped just short, the support were able to regain possession and create an overlap to score. The conversion made it 3-7 to the visitors. Within minutes Lisburn were back in the lead after Mark Hill got on the end of a great movement involving forwards and backs and the big No 8 used his power to break the line and score. 8-7 to Lisburn.
Shortly into the start of the second quarter more loose tackling by Lisburn allowed the Ballyclare winger Baird to score and this was converted. However, straight from the kick off Lisburn centre David Scott increased his goal kicking tally with another penalty and just on half time his co-centre Richard Kindred broke the line to score a great try near the posts and Scott again converted to bring up a well deserved scoreline of 18-14 in Lisburn’s favour.
This was a frenetic game of much movement and flowing back play from both sides and while the Lisburn pack were playing extremely well in the set pieces and in the loose, the fragile first up tackling around the park was providing Ballyclare with plenty of opportunities to score. Fifteen minutes into the half, and with centre Scott off with a shoulder injury, and Ballyclare gaining another penalty, Lisburn were camped on the visitor’s line and did everything but score when Ballyclare broke out and brought play to the other end of the field where the full back Byres squirmed over in the corner. This was a bitter blow and sadly one of the Ballyclare players was badly injured in the movement and the game had to be postponed for half an hour while an ambulance was called. After the re-start the conversion was kicked from the touchline and Ballyclare were suddenly in the ascendancy by 24 points to 18.
Straight from the kick off Ballyclare scored again when their No 8 Rainey ran unhindered through the home cover and his support players took the final pass to score under the post. Lisburn went back on the attack and were pressing on the ‘Clare line when a loose pass was intercepted and the receiver ran the length of the pitch to score. Lisburn were now down by 38-18 and with just ten minutes remaining they tried to chase the game. Once again Mark Hill broke through after pressure on the Ballyclare defence and the conversion narrowed the gap to 25-38 but just as the final whistle was approaching, Ballyclare scored again after their scrumhalf Morrow weaved through a disorganised home defence and the seven points brought up a final score of 25-45 to the visitors.
This was an entertaining running game and the final score line does little justice to the closeness of the battle overall but Lisburn will have to ask themselves how they managed to concede six tries, even though half of them came in the final quarter following a lengthy and disruptive break in play. If they are to learn anything from this game it will have to be about how they go about tightening up their defensive system and ensuring their first time tackling – far too many tackles were missed.
Next Saturday they have a quick opportunity to make amends, with another home game, this time against visitors Limavady who, having come down from Division One last season, have been improving over the last few games. The 3s host Limavady 2s so there will be a big rugby day at the club and all support will be welcome.
