Saturday brought an East Antrim derby to the Cloughan when Ballyclare 1st XV took on local rivals Carrickfergus in a Qualifying 2 league rugby clash. The match was sponsored by Country Estates and the match ball by Kare Bears. The only changes on the Clare team from the winning side at Enniskillen were the inclusion of Alan McGrugan at flanker and Darren Montgomery at prop. Carrick fielded a young, fit outfit which always kept trying against a more experienced home team. The visitors had the first chance but Sherrif was wide with a penalty. The White Hares came back as Nigel Moore made ground to force a penalty which Gary Clotworthy kicked to go 3-0 up. The visitors then missed a straightforward penalty before J.J.Baird broke away only to lack support. But in the next home attack fly half Ian Russell dummied his way over for a try which Clotworthy converted. Next a break from the 22 by McGrugan saw good handling from Russell,Jackson and Clotworthy before Baird raced in at the corner to get an unconverted try to edge 15-0 ahead. Then the Clare boys were adjudged offside but Sherrif`s kick was again wide and in their next attack the out half should have scored but for a great tackle by Montgomery. Ballyclare now dominated and Moore had a strong surge up the touchline to force a penalty which Clotworthy slotted to go further ahead. However Carrick came back with good work in the loose and really should have got over. Clare skipper Logan was sin binned which seemed harsh and from the penalty Sherrif got his side`s first points to make it 18-3 at half time.
Ballyclare missed their in spirational leader in the opening minutes of the second half to allow carrick to have their best spell of pressure. This was rewarded by a try for D.Crothers in the left corner and they again threatened the home line. But the return of Logan helped to lift the siege and Clotworthy was well wide with a penalty. The home side now exerted most of the pressure and Robert Boyd made ground into the 22 and when Carrick failed to clear and brother Alan went in on the left for an unconverted try. Following a kick ahead Weatherup was halted near the line and R.Boyd just failed to get over as the Clare were well on top. Then Clotworthy kicked ahead and was impeded which was not punished — another home back raced through to get the touch down but amazingly it was disallowed ! Eventually from yet another kick ahead Weatherup was in at the posts and Clotworthy added the points for a 30-8 lead. To be fair the youthful carrick team hit back in the last minute and J.Wady got over for an unconverted try to leave the final score 30-13
Ballyclare—P.Morrow;J.J.Baird,G.Clotworthy,J.Jackson,G.Weatherup; I.Russell,C.Morrow,A.Boyd,A.Wylie,D.MOntgomery;R.Boyd,I.Heaney;A.McGrugan,W.Logan(capt),N.Moore. Referee— C.Bassett.
THIRDS LOSE HEAVILY — The Clare Thirds were away to Donaghadee 2nds who they would expect to do well against but the Co.Down 1st XV had no game and a very strong home side was fielded leading to a 50-3 defeat for the Clare lads—but the Dee still have to come to the Cloughan!
FOURTHS REMAIN UNBEATEN—Ballyclare 4ths led by the evergreen John Wasson were at home in Minor1 to Ards 4ths —one of the stronger sides in the league and this proved to be a tough affair with little between the sides in the first half.The home team went 3-0 up after a penalty by Wasson.But after this play was mainly in midfield with very few scoring chances to either side. the defences of both teams appeared to be on top but Ards were to level with a penalty so it was still 3-3 at the interval. The Fourths upped the pace in the second half and good work by the pack allowed Cavan Watson to move the ball and eventually Wasson raced in to score and convert his own try for a 10-3 lead. Then a great interception by Reynolds from an attempted pass by Ards key player Stocker saw him breaking clear to get a vital score in the corner to lead 15-3. Despite a powerful upfield surge from Ferguson it was the visitors who came back in the closing minutes with a try at the posts which was converted . this left it at 15-10 and the Fourths continue as undefeated league leaders. Outstanding in the pack were Gaston,Alexander and Luke while Watson,Lamont.Reynolds and Wasson stood out in the backs.
UNDER 19 XV LOOK TO LEAGUE DECIDER
The Clare Under 19 side remain undefeated and this Saturday go to Carrick who have only lost once so this one could be a decider. Last week the Clare boys had a close 16-12 win away to Randalstown. They made a strong s tart with a strong run by Wallace leading to a penalty kicked by Chris Harvey. Randalstown proved to be strong opponents but Mark Wright broke clear to get an uncunverted try. Just before half time the home nu.mber eight drove over for atry to make it 8-5.
In the second half Wallace moved to out half and soon was rewarded by a fine try to increase the Clare lead. The visitors now exerted most of the pressure and Harvey made it 16-5 with a well struck penalty. But Randalstownhit back with a try from an intercept and the conversion brought the score to 16-12. In the closing ten minutes the home side pushed forward and the Clare lads had to defend until the end. Up front there were strong performances by Gillan,McConnell and McCartney plus Harvey and Wallace in the backs but man of the match was Mark Wright.
SATURDAY`S FIXTURES—- 1st XV v Grosvenor F.P.(away); 2nd XV v Ballymoney 2nds (home); 3rd XV vLimavady 2nds (home) 4th XV v C.I.Y.M.S.4ths (away)
U 19XV v Carrick (away)
