Ballyclare Rugby Club 1st XV travelled to Stevenson Park on Saturday to play Dungannon 2nd XV in the Qual.2 Conference League-a less consequential match than the normal league games-this was the final game of the season for the team coached by Bob Young and it brought a narrow 29-26 win for the Clare boys. Overall this has been a fairly successful year for the Cloughan club-the 1st XV will be in third place in Qual.2 having once again like last year pushed for promotion only to be denied by U.U.C. and Omagh. On Saturday U.U.C. made certain of the league title and promotion with an emphatic win away to Omagh. Ballyclare`s 2nd XV have had a disappointing season in Junior 1 and again lost on Saturday to local rivals Carrick 2nds who had a strengthened side to try and prevent relegation. But the Clare 3rds well led all year recorded a big win over Lisburn 3rds which looks like placing Tony Turner`s side as runners up in Junior 3 and probable candidates for promotion. The Fantastic Fourths had another big win away to Hollywood to remain unbeaten-they had already lifted the league title and have now scored over 1000 points. The team of mainly veterans are appealing for support –initially for Saturday 21st at the Cloughan when they are due to play the semi final of the Ravenhill Cup-which is for the winners of the four Minor leagues–and then on Friday 27th April at Ravenhill for the final of the very prestigious McCambley Cup against Harlequins 4th XV which has a 7-30 p.m. start-(note change of date).
DUNGANNON 2nd XV 26 BALLYCLARE 1st XV 29
For this Conference league game a number of changes were made with younger players and a few from the Seconds included so it took time for the visitors to settle into any real pattern of play.The game was a close affair in both halves but it was the Tyrone men who managed to edge 7-5 in front at half time. They got over for an early converted try before prop Alan Boyd who has scored a few this season drove over for a try which Morrow was unable to convert. In the second half the Clare won a good amount of ball up front to enable the backs to run at the opposition and this led to a first try by Chris McIntyre for the team. More pressure brought a score for the other wing J.J. Baird and then centre Clotworthy broke clear to get a try. Two of these were converted by Morrow to give Willie Logan`s side a clear lead but `Gannon hit back with a couple of late scores to make the final score 29-26 to Ballyclare-a good result on the day.
BALLYCLARE 2nds 6 Carrick 2nds 22-The Carrick side arrived at the Cloughan as one of the bottom teams in Junior1 and fielded a strengthened team to try and remain in contention. The Clare team had lost a few men to the 1st XV but did manage to exert early pressure and after a useful kick ahead by McComb Mark Weatherup was almost away.Next a run from Ross Scott allowed Gillan to make ground only for the ball to be lost in contact-a continual problem on the day and Carrick had a penalty which was missed from a good position. They attacked again despite a run from Noel Smith and eventually got a try which was converted to lead 7-0.When the home team once more lost possession Carrick broke clear for a second converted try to double the lead.Then Gillan hit back with a penalty to leave it 14-3 at half time.
Early in the second half Carrick increased the lead from a penalty and later made it 22-3 from atry before Gillan slotted over a long range penalty. Scott made a strong run and Gillan just missed another penalty shot. Carrick pressed again and were halted by a good tackle from Watson. Near the end the Seconds lost Gillan and Reid to the sin bin and the team did well to prvent any more scoring from the visitors.Overall this was not a great performance from the Seconds as far too often ball was lost in the breakdown meaning there was very little continuation of play.
BALLYCLARE 3rds 31 Lisburn 3rds 5-The Thirds were due to play Bangor 2nds on Wednesday night but the Seasiders failed to travel and forfeited the points. On Saturday they played their final game in Junior3 against Lisburn in good conditions and got a positive result after a couple of stuttering performances. They built up a 12-0 lead at the interval after scores from flanker Chris Gawn and scrum half Stephen Beasant with a conversion by Ivor Baine. In the second half the Thirds with a good number of young players went further ahead following tries by Gawn,Luke Johnston and prop Rory Henderson plus two conversions by Baine. Lisburn did manage to get a late try but it was only a consolation as the Thirds proved too strong.
HOLLYWOOD 3rds 5 BALLYCLARE 4ths 57-This was the Fourths last league game and they were able to go over the one thousand point mark from all cup and league games-surely a club record. They managed to score nine tries with a hat trick from top scorer Trevor Clarke who now has 27 for the season, one each by the props Stevie Crawford and Darren Montgomery,Paul Morrow,Gareth Smith,Cavan Watson and Lyle Andrew with six conversions by John Wasson. The other leading scorers are John McDonald (20) and Neil Reynolds (23). Man of the match was the veteran lock Trevor Fletcher with Paul Morrow the best of the backs. Provided the team can win the Ravenhill Cup semi final they will play the final on 5th May
