Ballyclare 1st XV had another outstanding win in Qualifying2 on Saturday when they defeated Lisburn 43-3 at the Cloughan. This was the eighth consecutive victory in the league for Willie Logan`s side–in fact the last loss was away to Lisburn on 23rd October.The win also brought another bonus point–the Clare side now has accumulated more of these than any other side and as Donaghadee lost their unbeaten record ,Ballyclare are now challenging from third place to move higher. This weekend`s game versus C.I.Y.M.S. at Belmont will be a tough test as the latter are unbeaten.
CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF I XV v LISBURN I XV
The only changes on Saturday were the return of Al Boyd,Nigel Moore and Graeme McKinstry up front with Steve Morrow in on the wing for Gary Weatherup. The home side started well as Russell and S.Morrow took play to the Lisburn 22. The visitors did have wind advantage and their forwards made ground and forced a penalty at a ruck which they kicked to lead 3-0. But Russell made a break and Clotworthy went in for a try on the left but could not convert.Then McGrugan made ground to get the ball out to Paul Morrow who crossed on the right for another unconverted try to go 10-3 ahead. Minutes later P.Morrow set up another attack but the Lisburn defence held out. In the next attack a try was prevented due to a home forward dropping the final pass. A Lisburn Player was sin binned for a high tackle and Clotworthy`s penalty hit a post so it was still 10-3 at the interval.
Unfortunately a Lisburn Player got a rib injury and soon had to go off and was eventually taken to hospital. They were now numerically up against it but tried to run the ball when possible. But an erly home run saw J.J.Baird racing in for atry converted by Clotworthy and soon after this a run by P.Morrow allowed Jackson to go in for a score and Clotworthy added the points to go 24-3 up. Another late tackle by a visiting forward enabled Collie Morrow to kick ahead and Steve Morrow got in to score with Clotworthy kicking the conversion. It was now all Ballyclare but they lost R.Boyd to the sin bin– this did not halt the home pressure and Clotworthy broke clear on half way to get a try and again add the points for a 38-3 lead. A late break by skipper Logan ended with a try for Collie Morrow not converted . Coburn was almost in but for a forward pass. The game was ended a few minutes early with a 43-3 win and the useful bonus point. The match was sponsored by Nigel Simpson and man of the match was Alan McGrugan sponsored by Tom Patton.
Team–P.Morrow;J.J.Baird,G.Clotworthy,J.Jackson,S.Morrow; I.Russell,C.Morrow;A.Boyd,A.Wylie,C.Coburn;G.McKinstry,R.Boyd;A.McGrugan,W.Logan (capt),N.Moore
SECONDS GET WELCOME WIN
The Clare Seconds had been on a recent losing run in Junior1 but went to Shaws Bridge and defeated Instonians 3rds 20-18. After only 15 minutes thel lost key back Stephen Baillie with an ankle injury and Inst got on top and ran in three tries to go 15-0 up. But before the interval the Seconds made ground and Jonny Reid went in near the corner to leave it 15-5.
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In the second half the Clare boys got more of the ball and an early try by Byers reduced the home lead. Then from a short penalty skipper Michael Stevenson drove over for an important try and Byers converted to go 17-15 ahead. Byers also kicked a late penalty to go further in front and though Inst also had a late penalty the Seconds did well to hold on for a narrow win as Norton was harshly sin binned. There were strong performances up front by Norton and Tweed plus Byers at out half.
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THIRDS LOSE AWAY
The Thirds have done quite well in Junior3 but were well beaten 39-19 at Belmont by a fit young Grosvenor 2nds side. The Thirds started strongly and pressure from the pack allowed out half Wasson to put Adam Dyer away for Ricky McAdam to score out wide though Grosvenor had got the first try.They also got another from their their number8 for a 12-5 lead. They had a third try before the break and in the second half added three further scores to be well ahead. But the Thirds made a late charge and Steven Wright broke away from a ruck to get a try converted by Wasson. Next they lost Billy Wright to the sin bin but managed a late try from Crothers again converted by Wasson to leave it 39-19 at the end There were good performances from David Crawford,Billy Wright and Steven Wright.
SATURDAY`S FIXTURES—1st XV v C.I.Y.M.S. (away) Supporters are asked to travel for this key match; 2nd XV v Portadown 2nds (home); 4th Xv v Ballymena 5ths (home) McCambley Cup quarter final.
