BALLYCLARE ADVANCE IN JUNIOR CUP
Ballyclare Rugby Club 1st XV took yet another Qualifying 1 scalp on Saturday at the Cloughan when they produced a pacey game in the first round of the Junior Cup against Cooke and deservedly won 26-10. The team had four changes from the win away to Lisburn with Graeme McKinstry,David Lawther and Andrew Wylie all coming into the pack plus Jonny Reid in at centre.This cup tie which had a good attendance was sponsored by Wylie-Johnston Associates and the match ball sponsored by Laurence Caldwell. However the Clare`s 2nd and 4th Xvs both suffered heavy defeats in their opening league matches.
Ballyclare 26 Cooke 10
This Junior Cup tie was played in excellent conditions on a first class surface and the home team showed their intent from the start but skipper Rob Boyd just lost posession after a typical mid field surge but Smith managed to kick the home team into the opposite 22 and Jordan McKinstry was halted close to the Cooke line. But the Clare pack controlled the next lineout and scrum half Stevenson nipped in to score at the corner for a 5-0 lead.Ballyclarecontinued to make ground and a forward pass stopped another lively attacking move.The home team was obviously surprising Cooke with the pace of their open game but the Belfast team countered only to be halted by a tackle in midfield from Reid.Next a rampaging run from his own 22 by Weatherup led to a clean pass to Smith who went over to score and added the points with the conversion to go 12-0 up. But at this stage Cooke countered and a missed tackle by Wylie allowed their full back to get an unconverted try. Ballyclare then made ground through Reid and a kick ahead bounced off a Cooke defender to play Byers on side and the home wing raced in to score at the right corner and an excellent conversion from wide out gave Ballyclare a 19-5 lead.
The Clare sensibly forced the visitors to defend as Morrow kicked really effectively and a good run by Rob Boyd gave Logan a chance but the ball was dropped with the line beckoning.Cooke now began to show more urgency and after a kick to the Clare 22 tried to maul towards the home line only to be thwarted by a breakout from Weatherup right on half time.
Cooke came out in determined fashion in the second half but Smith cleared to half way only for the Qualifying 1 side to again hit back and drive forward from the next lineout forcing Morrow to clear. the visitors once more came forward only for Byers to break out up the right side and Stevenson broke from the next scrum to put his side into an attacking position. Weatherup was stopped close to the line but the Clare kept up the momentum and Morrow playing out of position at out half forced his way over close to the posta and Byers converted to push Ballyclare into a 26-5 lead.Even though the game semed beyond them, Cooke showed late resolve as Gourley beat three home tacklers to go in at the right corner for another unconverted try which reduced the home lead. At this stage with 10 minutes remaining a player from each side was carded which weakened the home pack temporarily. Cooke now forced their way into the home 22 and had a couple of penalties near the line -they tried to out scrummage the home pack who did well to prevent scores as time ran out and Morrow managed to clear the danger. The Cooke backs seldom looked like breaking the home line and Ballyclare proved good value for the win. There were great performances up front by Weatherup,Logan,Lawther,Skipper Boyd and both G.and J.McKinstry while Stevenson again did well as did Clarke but the man of the match award went to full back Smith.
Ballyclare -R.Smith;G.Byers,D.Clarke,J.Reid,J.Greer; C.Morrow,A.Stevenson;A.Boyd,A.Wylie,D.Lawther;R.Boyd (capt),G.McKinstry,G.Weatherup,W.Logan,J.McKinstry;
SECONDS AND FOURTHS LOSE
The 2nd Xv had to travel to play top Junior 1 side Ballynahinch 3rds in the league with a much weakened team and always struggled against a powerful home XV to lose very heavily.
The 4th Xv went to Woodlawn to play Carrick 3rds to find themselves up against a surprisingly strong home team. Unfortunately they lost Mark Weatherup after only five minutes – he was just returning from a leg injury and were always under pressure especially in the set pieces. However they did manage to get in for a couple of tries from Tony Turner and James Logan as well a conversion and a penalty from Steven Baillie. But according to skipper Mark Fox the Carrick team always had the upper hand and the extra man made a big difference as they easily won 58-15.
Saturday Fixtures -1st Xv v Limavady (away) An Appeal goes to Clare supporters to travel to the North West as this could be a tough test and get behind the team.
2nd XV vCarrick 2nds (home); 4thXv vRandalstown 2nds (home)
200 CLUB -Ballyclare alickadoo Eddie Simms will be running the 200 Club again this year as a major funding scheme. He is particularly keen to have members to help as sellers of the tickets as well as others to actually purchase the tickets which sell at £50 each. He can be contacted at 94433069.
