CLARE COLLECT ANOTHER WINNING BONUS POINT
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Ballyclare 1st XV again produced a big performance on Saturday at a well attended Cloughan to see off a game Enniskillen team 47-17 to not only collect their second bonus point from three starts but to move into the leading place in Qualifying2. While the players and coach Bob Young are fully aware that it is early days with several big tests ahead, the Clare under Robert Boyd are playing a brand of pacey and attractive rugby which pleases the spectators and leads to a surfeit of tries. The Clare club had a day of total success with the 2nds winning 35-17 away to Grosvenor 2nds; 3rds winning 51-35 away to Limavady 2nds and wins for the youth teams against Ballymena.
BALLYCLARE 47 ENNISKILLEN 17
This game was sponsored by COUNTRY ESTATES and with the Fermanagh men having beaten Carrick in a close finish the week before, Ballyclare were waiting for a major challenge. There were changes with Holmes in at hooker for the injured Wylie, Finlay replacing Lawther at prop and a very late change in the backs after Crawford was injured in the warm up and Clotworthy replaced him. This game was played in summer like conditions which suited the open style from the home team. An early break by fly half Lawther led to a try on only five minutes converted by Smith for a 7-0 lead. Minutes later when the Skins were penalised a break at speed by Smith and Loughlin set up the opening for Clotworthy to go in and Smith added the points to double the lead.When the visitors tried to counter Smith defended well and Byers broke out on the right and the ball was moved wide at pace by Weatherup to send Greer in at the corner and Smith converted from near the touchline and the Clare were 21-0 up. At this stage the Fermanagh tried to come back but Weatherup won the ball on half way and raced clear to give Byers the chance to score that vital fourth try as Smith as usual kicked the conversion. It was 28-0 exactly on 28 minutes played. However the Skins did counter with a try in the corner from a driven lineout. then after an injury to Graeme McKinstry the visitors did well to make ground for second row Buchanan to get a try converted by the fullback to reduce the home lead to 28-12. Further positive play from Morrow and Smith alm ost had Byers in again and just before the interval Weatherup and Smith took play into the 22 with skipper Boyd halted close to the line.
In the second half Enniskillen had wind advantage but it was the home backs who made the first move as a Lawther break gave Smith the chance to put Loughlin over for the try converted by Byers as Smith had been injured in the move .Ballyclare kept up the pressure and a Clotworthy run ended with Morrow racing clear to score on the left to go 40-12 ahead.The Skins did not give up and took play into the home 22 but skipper Boyd made one of his trade mark mid field drives and Holmes followed up to score at the posts with Smith converting . Again the visitors showed their resilience by their left wing going over in the corner to make it 47-17.This had become a high scoring affair played at pace by two very fit sides.Ballyclare still came forward though Alan Boyd lost possession but Byers was almost in at the corner . The Fermanagh pack made a final attack after Finlay was injured but just failed to get a score as time ran out This was a good win from the Clare with the back row of Logan, Weatherup and man of the match Jordan McKinstry, sponsored by Eddie Simms all outstanding as well as skipper Boyd while the entire back line always had too much pace for the opposition
Ballyclare -R.Smith;G.Byers,G.Clotworthy,N.Loughlin,J.Greer; N.Lawther,C.Morrow; A.Boyd,I.Holmes,M.Finlay; R.Boyd (capt),G.McKinstry;G.Weatherup,W.Logan,J.McKinstry;
GROSVENOR F.P.2nds 17 BALLYCLARE 2nds 35
The Seconds followed up the good result against Carrick 2nds with a strong performance at Belmont against Grosvenor 2nds A very positive start brought an early score to the home side but the Clare hit back immediately when McAdam outpaced the defence to score and Wardrop made it 7-5 with the conversion. Then the Seconds scrum half repeated his solo try from the previous week and converted to go further ahead. Both sides were attempting to keepthe ball alive as the Clare led 14-5 at half time. In the second half the Seconds pack took control and prop Lawther drove over with Wardrop adding the points But grosvenor came back with a score out wide before Baird raced in to score and Wardrop converted to lead 28-10.Then Steven Beasant made the line to score with Wardrop adding the points and though Grosvenor managed a late try it was not enough against an excellent overall performance by Ballyclare with Wardrop outstanding at scrum half . The 35-17 win over a team that was promoted last season puts the Seconds into a strong position in Junior 1.
LIMAVADY 2nds 35 BALLYCLARE 3rds 51
This was a game with a big turn around at John Hunter Memorial Ground as the home team had scored four tries in a dozen minutes to lead 28-0. But at this stage they lost a centre with a fractured leg and play was held up for 40 minutes , Just prior to this the Thirds had come back with tries from Andy Watson and Steve Baillie and a conversion by Alexander to make it 12-28. After the ambulance had left the game re started and Alexander kicked a penalty as well as Paul Robinson getting atry which Alexander converted. next full back Reid got in for a try converted by Alexander so the Thirds had gone 29-28 ahead for the first time. Limavady lost another man due to injury and 3rds skipper Chris Gawn got a try converted by Alexander but Limavady came back with a score to make it 36-35 to the Thirds. But late tries b y Baillie and Peter Beasant plus one Alexander conversion gave the Clare a win by 51-34. Man of the match was Steve Baillie while there were soind performances by Clark McCartney and Tony Turner in the pack.
YOUTH SCORES
The three youth teams played Ballymena on saturday in their respective league games. sadly Ballymena were unable to raise an Under 13 team so Ballyclare had a walk over. At Under 15 level Ballyclare beat Ballymena 26-15 and at Under 17 level the Clare edged home 20-19.
SATURDAY FIXTURES -1st and 2nd XVs have no games this weekend. 3 rd Xv v Harlequins 3rds (home); 4th Xv vBanbridge 4ths (away); Youth teams all away to City of Derry in Premier 2.
