BALLYCLARE COLLECT BONUS POINT AT LIMAVADY
Ballyclare Rugby Club 1st XV travelled to the John Hunter Memorial Grounds on saturday to play Limavady in their second game in Qualifying 2 and included Nial Lawther and Nathan Loughlin in the back line after having been out injured.A good start in the opening halg hour built up a useful lead but later even though the home side had lost their out half the Clare struggles at times but managed to do enough at the end to collect a bonus point in the 37-18 win. The 2nd XV at the Cloughan came from behind to get a deserved 22-13 win over Carrick 2nds in Junior 1 but the 4thXv went down at home 8-7 to Randalstown 2nds in their first league game of the season.
LIMAVADY 18 BALLYCLARE 37
This league game was expected to be tighter as the North West men had beaten Enniskillen the previous week in Fermanagh. But in the opening quarter the Clare dominated and began to create scoring chances as Lawther got his line moving well against what at times seemed a hesitant defence.This was rewarded when wing Byers raced clear to go over near the corner for the opening try that was not converted Full back Smith made amends with the kicking duties when he slotted over a penalty to put his team into an 8-0 lead. Ballyclare continued to move the ball at pace with Clarke,Smith and Byers all making ground but the second try was scored by the veteran Logan after strong pressure by the pack and Smith converted to go 15-0 clear before Limavady managed to come back with a penalty But a Smith score took the Clare well clear at which stage some of the players seemed to assume that the game was over and done. Limavady were now able to come more into contention and drove over near the corner to reduce the lead to 20-8 at the interval.
In the second half the home side was unlucky to lose their out half in jured but this seemed to spur them on. Then a player from each side was yellow carded including Ballyclare`s Graeme McKinstry and Limavady now began to win more ball at lineouts and in the loose which helped to bring a converted try to make it much closer and a later penalty made it 20-18. At this stage the visitors were able to lift their performance as the backs again created openings and Byers got another try which Smith onverted and further pressure ended with Clarke going in to score with Smith adding the points to go well clear A smith penalty made the final score 37-18 to Ballyclare . But at times there were problems with the scrum and the team allowed much of their early good work to be nullified by relaxing too much. However there was an outstanding display at scrum half from Collie Morrow even though he had been standing in at fly half over the past few weeks There was strong loose play from Logan, Weatherup, R.Boyd and G,McKinstry while Byers pace proved a threat on the wing.
Ballyclare-R.Smith; G.Byers,D.Clarke,N.Loughlin,J.Greer; N.Lawther,C.Morrow; A.Boyd,A.Wylie,D.Lawrher;R.Boyd(capt),G.McKinstry;G.Weatherup,W.Logan,J.McKinstry;
BALLYCLARE 2NDS 22 CARRICK 2NDS 13
CLICK HERE for SHOTS
This Junior 1 game was a fine advertisement for a local derby with Carrick stronger in the opening quarter but the young players on the home team came back and proved more controlled than their more experienced opponents.The Clare team took time to settle in with Stevenson in at out half instead of his usual slot of scrum half.Good work from centre Crawford allowed Wardrop to make an early break but Carrick were able to counter and forced the Clare off side to allow Kendall to give the visitors a 3-0 lead. However the visitors seemed to hover on the off side limit and some tackles on the home out half appewared rather late. However Reid made ground in mid field but Carrick broke at pace and Kendall kicked his second penalty to lead 6-0. Kirk then made ground up to the 22 and Holmes took play towards the line with support from Dailly but Carrick defended well . Then from the next scrum on half way Wardrop raced clear half the length of the pitch to get a try that he also converted for a 7-6 lead.He later added a penalty to increase the home lead.At this stage Carrick had a man yellow carded and four minutes later another was carded with a penalty to the Seconds but Wardrop missed just at half time.
The home pack started well in the second half and hooker Holmes went in for a try converted by Wardrop to go 17-6 clear but Carrick hit back when Ferris raced from near half way for a solo try conv erted by Kendall to make it 17-13. Wardrop made ground for the Clare side and Carrick had a third player yellow carded . Stevenson now kicked well to keep the visitors on the back pedal and Crawford took play deep into the 22 -the pack surged ahead and Dailly got the score to go 22-13 clear . The home side finished strongly and were unlucky not to add to the scoreline. This was a good performance with Wardrop,Crawford and Reid showing up in the backs along with Holmes,Dailly Stevenson and Finlay in the pack.
BALLYCLARE 4ths 7 RANDALSTOWN 2nds 8
CLICK HERE for shots
Randalstown arrived with a useful side -their 1st XV were without a game but this was always a very close affair.In the first half Wasson just missed a penalty but it was Randalstown who forced their way over near the corner for a try. They just about deserved the lead at half time.
In the second half the visitors were unlucky to lose a player with an injury and eventually the Fourths came back with a try from DavyTweed that was converted by Wasson to edge 7-5 ahead. But Randalstown were just that bit sharper with a few players who had more experience and they managed to kick a penalty to regain the lead at 8-7. They did well to hold on for the win despite being a man short. For the Fourths there were sound performances by Clarke McCartvney at centre, Jordan Brownlee,Luke Ireland and the veteran Wasson.
Saturday Fixtures -1st XV v E nniskillen (home) -There will be a pre match reception an yone who wishes to attend should contact Gareth Johnston(o7853710221); 2nd Xv v Grosvenor 2nds (away); 3rdXV v Limavady 2nds (away)
The draw has been made for the second round of the Millar McCall Junior Cup and Ballyclare will play Omagh at the Cloughan on Saturday 12th October -a repeat of last year`s Towns Cup semi final.. ..
