Ballyclare Rugby Club 1st XV in the few years they have been in Qualifying 2 were pushing for a top position at this time of the season but this season are unfortunately languishing at the wrong end of the table with no wins from three matches.
Really they should have won on Saturday away to Lisburn but despite having at least 80 % of territory and posession as well as missing vital penalties ended losing 10-8. Even the Lisburn officials admitted that their team had been second best on the day. Ballyclare were missing Weatherup and Clotworthy but had Baillie and Paul Morrow in the back line.
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82 Pictures slideshow here thanks to Tom Porter Photography. For High Resolution E: tomporter52@btinternet.com – CLICK HERE –
The early pressure came from the visitors and Logan kicked into the home 22 and the home side was penalised but Russell was wide with the kick. Later he kicked to the home 22 and the ball was moved across the backs for Jonny Reid to go in near the corner for atry which was not converted. Lisburn came back and their centre should have scored. Eventually their pack drove over in the corner and Crothers kicked a telling conversion from close to touch and a 7-5 lead. Ballyclare broke out through Baillie who seemed to be unfairly stopped. Twice the Clare pack surged to the home line and S.Morrow was over for a try but it was disallowed by a late touch flag.Next Reid was stopped on the line as Ballyclare totally dominated but Lisburn led 7-5 at the interval.
The pattern continued in the second half with no real threat by the home side. C.Morrow was held up on the home line and after a run by Logan Lisburn were penalised but the usually reliable Russell was again off target. Moore then followed a kick ahead to threaten the home line but the Lisburn defence proved effective.
In the sole home attack of the half Baillie was harshly yellow carded in mid field and Crothers kicked the penalty to give his side a 10-5 lead. Constant pressure by the Clare yielded a penalty at the posts and Russell cut the home lead to 10-8. A strong run by P.Morrow brought another penalty but Russell again narrowly missed. Deep into the last quarter Russell attempted a drop goal but was well wide and into injury time S.Morrow was also off target with a similar effort.Ballyclare pressed for most of the second half but just failed to have that cutting edge to convert territory into points as Lisburn held on for their second win.
Team— S.Baillie;J.Reid,P.Morrow,J.Jackson,S.Morrow; I.Russell,C.Morrow; G.Watters,R.Stewart;A.Boyd; I.Heaney,R.Boyd; A.McGrugan W.Logan,N.Moore
THIRDS LOSE NARROWLY
The Clare Thirds were at home to Harlequins 3rds and like the previous week had a good first half.
They exerted early pressure up front which led to a try for skipper Anthony Turner but it was not converted. Further good play kept up the momentum and Gareth Reynolds got over for a second score converted by Andrew Alexander.
The visitors managed a penalty to make it 12-3 to the Clare boys at half time.
36 Pictures slideshow here of Clare III XV thanks to Gleno Photos. For High Resolution E: georgedirvine@aol.com – CLICK HERE –
But in the second half Quins made better use of their greater experience and pace and managed to break through for three scores. The Thirds could only counter with a penalty from Alexander so the city side ended up as 23-15 winners.
FOURTHS ARE TESTED AT BALLYNAHINCH
John Wasson`s Fourths had their biggest test so far when they went to Ballynahinch but held on to their unbeaten tag with a 20-10 victory. The Hinch were out to end the Clare run and fielded a strengthened team but according to Wasson his pack responded well even though the options by Artie Campbell and himself were not always the best ones. But they took an early lead from a wasson penalty before the Hinch hit back with a try and conversion following an interception after a Clare attack. The Fourths responded with runs from Wasson and Reynolds and a later back movement ended with Reynolds going over near the corner. But the home team took a half-time lead of 10-8 following a successful penalty.
In the second half the Fourths still made errors though again Reynolds was held up close to the line. Eventually Wasson and Lamont made ground to put Gaston in for a try to go 13-10 ahead. Then in the last ten minutes another back movement ended with Graeme King racing in to get a try which was converted by Wasson to leave the final score at 20-10. Speaking afterwards skipper Wasson complimented the work in the last quarter from Gary Ashe and Mark Alexander and looled forward to the test this Friday night at the Cloughan against Ballymena.
UNDER 19 XV WIN AGAIN
The Under 19 side coached by Robin Byers are still unbeaten this season and had a 22-5 home win over Larne.
They started with an early try from Craig Wallace who this week moved from hooker to fly-half. The score followed a period of strong attacking rugby in mid field. Wallace then increased the home lead with his second try which was converted by Chris Harvey who was just wide with a penalty chance.
The Clare pack was held up on the Larne line on two occasions and it was 12-0 at the interval.
72 Pictures slideshow here of Clare U19 XV thanks to Gleno Photos. For High Resolution E: georgedirvine@aol.com – CLICK HERE –
In the seco nd half Larne came back with a deserved try but the home team struck again with a try out wide from Harvey to go 17-5 ahead. Near the end good work from the pack led to a score for Clarke McCartney who was the man of the match. Also outstanding were Paul Lennon,Sam Cherry Jack Bowers and Craig Wallace.
WEEK END FIXTURES Friday Night (7-30p.m.) Fourths v. Ballymena 5ths at Cloughan (floodlight match)
Saturday 1st XV v Belfast High (F.P.) home; 2nd XV v Ballynahinch 3rds away; 3rd XV v B.H.S.(F.P.)2nds away; Under 19 Xv no game
