Due to the heavy frosts of last weekend most rugby matches were called off including the three home games for Ballyclare`s top three teams. However the game for the Fourths led by John Wasson away to Bangor 3rds did go ahead. Prior to Saturday this team had been unbeaten in their Minor league and cup runs. But they travelled to Uprichard Park without a few key regulars notably Gaston and Montgomery. It seemed that the home side was stronger than usual and they controlled much of the play in the first half. However the Fourths made an early wrong decision after being given a penalty at the posts and took a scrum instead which went wrong. It was no surprise that the home side surged over for a try to lead 5-0 before Wasson slotted over a penalty to cut the home lead. Bangor proved to be the stronger side and the Fourths lost Nial Lamont with a hamstring injury to be replaced by Neil Reynolds who later also had to go off.
In the second half the Fourths had wind advantage but the home side managed to go in for two tries one converted which put them 17-3 ahead. To make matters worse Mark Alexander was sin binned. However a good back movement ended with skipper Wasson squeezing in at the corner for a try and he added the points with a conversion from the touchline. He later kicked a penalty to take the score to 17-13 and the Clare side now dominated play and forced a series of penalties which were not best used. They also created two excellent scoring chances but sadly some of their players got in the way of the runners and blocked likely tries. The chances did exist but captain Wasson said afterwards that his side did not deserve to win. The best of the forwards were Gary Ashe and George Peel but the backs apparently did not stand out. This result means Ballymena 5ths are the only unbeaten side in the league and the Fourths will play them at Eaton Park on Wednesday 2nd February with a 7-30 kick-off.
Last Saturday night in the clubhouse a successful Fashion Show was held.
TOWNS CUP DRAW– All three East Antrim clubs were given very tough draws in the second round of the Towns Cup–matches to be played on Saturday 5th February. The draw is— Ballynahinch 2nds v Larne; Ballymoney v Donaghadee; Clogher Valley v Limavady; Bangor v Enniskillen; Carrick v Dungannon2nds; Lurgan v Dromore; Armagh v Ballyclare;Banbridge2ndsvOmagh
SATURDAYS CLUB FIXTURES—1st XV v Omagh (away); 2ndXV v Ballynahinch 3rds (away) Crawford Cup; 3rd XV v Dungannon 3rds (home) Crawford Cup; 4thXV v Armoy (away) McCambley Cup Third Round; Under 19xv Cup match.
