The players, officials and supporters of Ballyclare and Bangor Rugby Clubs were all disappointed on Saturday when the top of the table clash in Qualifying 2 had to be called off after the very heavy rain of Thursday and Saturday morning. With the Clare team coached by Bob Young leading the table by nine clear points but with two games more played than Bangor who are in second place this had been an eagerly awaited clash for both clubs. Each team has lost once in each case to Enniskillen who are now worse off with two draws and one loss themselves. Interestingly Ballyclare will entertain the Fermanagh men on Saturday 12th January. It was particularly disappointing that Saturdays match was called off as the Clare club had organised a special Christmas lunch for the pre match reception and was expecting a crowd of at least seventy to be present. But the grounds at both the Upper Cloughan and the main pitches were all totally waterlogged and though there had been the possibility of using the school grounds at the Rashee Road it was decided to postpone all home club games .Apart from the top league game for the 1st XV the two Crawford Cup matches for the 2nd and 3rd xv both had to be postponed for the second week running . CLICK HERE to like Nick Williams facebook page and share
BOXING DAY GAME -It had been hoped to have a special match on Boxing Day between an Under 25 XV and an over 25 Xv but this was also in doubt after the heavy condition of the grounds.
TOWNS CUP DRAW – The draw was made recently for the first round of the Towns Cup -the oldest trophy in Ulster rugby. Ballyclare will play Ards on Saturday 5th january at home and will be confident of progressing.
PRESIDENTS DINNER -Ballyclare club President Willie Shaw will host the Annual Presidents Dinner in the Cloughan clubhouse on Friday 11th january. This is the only such event in Ulster rugby and is an opportunity to invite fellow club Presidents or their nominees -the dinner goes back several decades to the time that Martin A|rmour was President and the club headquarters were in Clareview house on the Doagh Road in B allyclare. This is not a night for the usual formal speeches but anyone who wishes to tell a story may do so after the dinner.
