Ballyclare High School 1st XV produced a really brave performance at Osborne Park to beat R.B.A.I. 7-3 in the quarter final of the Schools Cup but at a cost. The team has now reached the semi final to be played at Ravenhill on 5th March and will face Wallace High from Lisburn-this will be the fourth semi final in five years and hopefully they will go on to the 17th March final for the first time since 1973. But in a powerful defensive display on Saturday in front of a big crowd at Inst`s Osborne Park the Clare boys had injuries to scrum half Millar early on then Key second row Matt Dailly who appeared to have had a fractured tibia plus the other second row Scott Barr with a shoulder injury, It will be very disappointing for any of this trio to miss the semi final.
Gleno Photo for the shots – CLICK HERE for 225 Action Shots From The Thriller @ Osbourne Park
The conditions were perfect for the quarter final and in the first half it was the home side who dominated territory after they had made a strong start from the kick off and broke into the Clare 22 forcing Irvine to clear. When Ballyclare were penalised the home side kicked deep but Beattie managed to make ground only for Inst to steal the next lineout. AS the home side advanced again excellent tackling particularly from Darling and McKinstry prevented the line being breached. Irvine launced a high kick to put his team into the home 22 for the first time and alate tackle brought a penalty. However Holmes was wide with his attempt and Inst resumed on the attack. Logan was penalised at the next lineout but Holmes cleared well following the Inst kick up the left side. Then Irvine cleared as the impressive home scrum half pushed his pack back into the Clare 22 but a visiting forward was penalised for a late tackle . Eventually Holmes kicked to the opposite 22 and a break by Darling took Ballyclare into a strong attacking position for only the second time in the half.
But unfortunately the visitors lost posession but came back with good work from Bartley. However Inst broke out to force Holmes and Irvine to make telling clearances. Then another surge by Darling made an openin g for McKee and Holmes to reach the home 22 again as the half time whistle sounded with the score still 0-0.
Inst made a big start in the second half but superb defensive work from McKee and Darling enabled Ferguson to break out and race upfield to threaten the home line.An error by Beattie allowed Inst to regain posession and they made ground to get a second penalty which was converted to take a 3-0 lead fully deserved. Then a strong run from McKee took play back to the home half as Ballyclare began to have their best period of the game. Beattie made ground into the Inst 22 and the Clare pack set up a series of pick and drives after a break from Irvine and the impressive Reid. The forwards again drove to the line and Reid got over for the key try which was converted by Holmes to go 7-3 ahead. For much of the rest of the half Inst put Ballyclare under real pressure and the visitors were forced to make a series of changes due to injury and the need for fresh legs.Despite a clearance from Holmes the home pack hit back but superb tackling kept them out and one huge hit from McKee proved vital. Inst got a penalty ten metres from the Clare line and drove for the line but again were thwarted as Ballyclare held on for a great win . Every player plus the subs all literally played the shirts off their backs in a massive defensive display and will look forward to a brief respite before getting ready for the semi against Wallace High at Ravenhill.The performance from the Clare boys meant that the noisy Inst band of supporters lost their early volume.
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