Ballyclare got off to a dream start. From the kick off they played with great intensity and discipline. A couple of good runs from David Allen (6) brought Ballyclare High into Grosvenor’s half and within a couple of minutes, hooker Conor Shearer rumbled over for BHS’s first try. Within another couple of minutes Ballyclare were back within Grosvenor’s half and some good forwards carries led to David Allen scoring BHS’s second try. Not long after, winger James Greer finished off a good backs play in the corner.
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Ballyclare then lowered their intensity for a while, but good running from forwards such as Aaron Crockett, Matt Dailly and David Allen, and some excellent kicking from out half Simon Beattie kept Ballyclare safely within Grosvenor’s half. Near the end of the half James Buckley (11) went over for another try for Ballyclare.
From the start of the second half, Ballyclare upped their intensity again and within a short time David Allen went over from his second try. Conor Shearer also went over for his second try from the back of a maul from a well worked line-out. Great fast ball led to Ballyclare making lots of ground every time they got the ball and centres Luke McAnee and Stevie McArthur both ran excellent lines punching holes in the defence, which resulted in McAnee scoring under the posts, which Jack Irvine converted. Due to fast hands by the backline James Greer managed to score his second try in the corner.
Sub Andrew Higginson made a great break to bring Ballyclare into Grosvenor’s 22, and other sub Matthew Mooney finished off the run with a try under the post, which Jack Irvine also converted.
A great line-out move from the forwards resulted in hooker Conor Shearer completing his hat-trick. Aaron Crockett made a great break from the kick-off and showed impressive kicking skills for a prop with an attempted chip, but unfortunately he just lacked a bit in pace and couldn’t quite reach the ball. Jack Irvine also made many breaks from the blind-side of the ruck. Final score was 54-0 to Ballyclare High School.
