Ballyclare Rugby Club will be holding their annual Mini Rugby Tournament at the Cloughan Lane grounds on Saturday 9th April and the event is due to run from 9-00a.m. until close to 5-00p.m. According to organiser Stevie Crawford this will be one of the biggest Mini Rugby Festivals to be held in Ulster and it is hoped to have a few well known rugby personalities possibly Ulster players available to mingle with the young participants,friends and parents. The tournament was originally part of Mayfair week but in the past two years has been moved to April and as usual this year is expected to have over 800 young players taking part.
There will be the usual age groups from the Micros (P3/4) up to the Maxis (1st Year Post Primary) and the Organiser has received entries from Ballymena,Bangor ,C.I.Y.M.S.,Coleraine,Lurgan,Carrick,Larne ,Lisburn and of course Ballyclare Rugby Clubs. Special areas have been earmarked for carparking at the Cloughan grounds and no vehicles will be permitted to park on the Cloughan Lane itself. A whole series of attractions have been lined up for the participants and visitors and they will include–Face Painting,Bouncy Castles,A Climbing Wall, Food Outlets and others to occupy all family members. Several referees will be officiating from the Ulster Society of Referees. The event is being supported by Holm (N.I.),Antrim Hills Water,Newtownabbey Borough Council,Coca Cola, Isaac Agnew and the Karl Group and the Ballyclare club is very grateful to all the sponsors for their help. The public of East antrim are assured of an excellent day of rugby as the stars of the future put into operation the skills they have learned at their various clubs over the years so far. The organising club now hope for good weather conditions on what has become one of the highlights of the year.
SATURDAY LEAGUE GAMES CALLED OFF
Last Saturday all club matches at Ballyclare R.F.C. were postponed as a mark of respect to 1st XV scrum half and past captain Collie Morrow following the sudden death of his father Robert last week. At the funeral in Glenwherry Presbyterian Church on Saturday there was a very big turn out of past and present players from all the teams in the club as well as many club officials and the thoughts of everyone at the Cloughan go to Collie,his sister Cathy,his wife Kathy,Jack and all the family circle at this very difficult and sad time.
PLANNED LEAGUE FIXTURES
Ballyclare 1st XV now have three Qual.2 league matches remaining all to be played at home versus Donaghadee,C.I.Y..M.S. and Grosvenor (F.P.). So far C.I. have lost one,Donaghadee have lost two ,Ballyclare (and Omagh) have lost five but the Dee have to play C.I..(twice),Omagh and Ballyclare. Two teams should be promoted to Qual.1 and C.I. should be favourites with the other from one of the three other listed clubs. Donaghadee play C.I. at home on Tues.5th April
Ballyclare 2nds were due to play Ballynahinch 3rds at home on Tuesday night of this week.On Saturday the 3rds are away to Instonians 4ths.
The 1st XV game v.Donaghadee was provisionally pencilled in to be played at the Cloughan either tonight (Wednesday) or on Saturday 23rd April.
SPONORS OF THIS SECTION
