Last Tuesday night under the floodlights of Ballyclared R.F.C. Ballyclare High 1st XV had a big test against Castleknock College from Dublin one of the top teams in Leinster which included several Leinster Schools players and prospective Irish Schools players.. The Southern team was physically bigger than the Clare boys both in the forwards and backs.The High school side was missing three regulars notably Jonny Holmes at out half and it was the visitors who made the early running as the Clare side missed a few first up tackles but a strong tackle by McComb did prevent an early try. Then in the next Castleknock attack a clearance by Millar halted another surge but weak home tackles enabled the impressive Jack O`Neill to go in for a try to lead 5-0. The Southerners set up more attacks but Darling broke out only to lack support. Castleknock broke through again with a try from James McCormick to go 10-0 up and things looked ominous. The Clare pack now began to compete better and Darling drove up to the visitor`s line and Peter Ferguson was halted in the corner. The visitors broke from half way despite what appeared to be from an off side position and the excellent O`Neill sored his second try converted by number eight Joe O`Brien which gave them a strong 17-0 lead.
But Ballyclare replied in the best possible way with Peter Kennedy driving over in the corner from a lineout.Next a kick ahead by Glover saw the visitors penalised not for the first time and again following a lineout hooker marc Logan got in at the corner to score his team`s second try so it was 17-10 at the interval and the home side had pulled them back into contention.
Early in the second half Harvey made ground and a visiting forward was sin binned after persistant penalties. A superb run from McComb should have brought a score but the home pack was at last rewarded as they surged to the line and Darling got the touch down to cut the lead to 17-15. But at the restart Castleknock got a penalty to make it 20-15. McComb next kicked deep and the Clare fly half made ground to the line–he finished off the attack by breaking to go in after a scrum for yet another unconverted try . This levelled the scores at 20-20 and ballyclare finishd strongly as Darling,Craig and Butler all made runs deep into the 22. A draw was a fair result between two good sides and credit must go to the Clare lads for a wonderful comeback. The team now has played 18; won16;drawn1 and lost 1 not counting Saturday`s game in Naas v Clongowes Wood College.
Ballyclare High 23 Sullivan Upper 16—- The previous week Ballyclare took on Sullivan under the lights at Carrick R.F.C. Early pressure from the Co.Down.school brought a penalty by Adair for A 3-0 lead.Good astute kicking by Holmes pushed the Clare pack upfield and Logan raced in for a try to go 5-3 up.The Ballyclare forwards dominated the rest of the half to enable centre Eddie McKee and winger Peter Ferguson to go in for tries. Suulivan had another penalty so it was 15-6 to the Clare boys at the break. Early in the second half a tap penalty led to winger Andrew Butler racing clear to score in the corner and give his side a 20-6 lead. Adair kicked a penalty for Sullivan and they also got a try via an interception which gave them some encouragement at 20-16. However Ballyclare had the last say as suubstitute scrum half kicked a penalty to leave the final score 23-16 to the East Antrim team.
