Ballyclare Vs Enniskillen + Presidents Dinner
BALLYCLARE AVENGE SOLE LEAGUE DEFEAT
On Saturday Ballyclare 1st XV had their biggest test for some weeks with the visit of Enniskillen who were the only side to have beaten the Clare in Qualifying 2 this season. The Fermanagh were the early season league leaders but lost twice in December yet on Saturday they were at full strength and never gave up and prevented the Clare from getting a bonus point in the home win 25-10. The win keeps Bob Youngs men top of the league but Bangor who won a close game at Randalstown have a couple of games in hand. The only other Ballyclare team in action were the super Fourths who beat League leaders Portadown 4ths away actually for the second time to keep up their own challenge in Junior 6. The good news in this one was the return to fitness of prop Rodney Hall whose form was outstanding.
BALLYCLARE 25 ENNISKILLEN 10
CLICK HERE for the action shots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In the opening half the home side had advantage of the wind and were on the attack from the start.The Fermanagh men had won well in the Towns Cup a week before against Larne and were always going to pose a threat with a strong back row. But a strong run by Rob Boyd forced the visitors to go off side and Smith kicked the penalty for a 3-0 lead. The Skins then made ground but Morrow cleared well and this led to another penalty to the home team . From fully sixty metres Smith was unlucky to see his kick hit the post.The game was being played at a fast pace but Enniskillen failed to get into the home 22. Ballyclare made ground through G.Weatherup and R ainey and the move was taken on for Cusack to go over for a try that was converted by Smith for a 10-0 lead. When the visitors did come forward they were halted by a tackle from Smith and Cusack took the home side deep into the opposite 22 with support from Loughlin. G.Weatherup was halted close to the visitors line but the ever present Rainey took play forward and Rob Boyd was up to take the pass and go in for atry converted by Smith to increase the lead. Inside the last few minutes of the half Logan was unlucky to have his pass intercepted and the Skins flanker crossed for atry in the corner with McVitty converting from near touch to leave the score at 17-7 -this had been the only time they had got into the Clare 22. Next a run by Rainey led to a five metre scrum but the home side was penalised when well placed. Logan seemed to be tackled high with the line at his mercy and the home team finished the half well on top.
At the start of the second half a great run from Gary Weatherup saw him held up near the line followed by another good break by Clarke in midfield. The move was taken on by Lawther but the visitors managed to clear. This was only a temporary halt i the attacking play from the Clare as Lawther next produced an exquisite cross field kick that was gathered by Logan to go in for a try on the left that was not converted but it gave Ballyclare a 22-7 lead. However the home team was penalised at the next scrum and a very good kick by McVitty made it 22-10 and the Skins were back in contention. As they came forward with intent Lawther was forced to clearand good home tackling prevented further threats to their line. From a well angled kick by Morrow Clarke was unlucky not to get in for what would have been that vital fourth try.
Enniskillen were penalised for off side at the posts and strangely the Clare did not go for lineout or scrum as Smith knocked over the kick to make it 25-10. Then McVitty kicked to the home 22 but Lawther cleared well and another strong surge from Weatherup and rainey took Ballyclare back into the 22 but that elusive bonus try did not come so it was a four point win for the Clare. Once again the home back row was outstanding along with McKinstry in loose and lineout, the halfbacks plus Clarke and Smith from midfield. This game was sponsored by Simon Eastop for Ballyclare.
Team -R.Smith;M.Weatherup,S.Cusack,D.Clarke,N.Loughlin;N.Lawther,C.Morrow;A.Boyd,C.Wallace,
R.Henderson;R.Boyd,G.McKinstry;G.Weatherup,M.Rainey,W.Logan.
PORTADOWN 4ths 29 BALLYCLARE 4ths 10
The Fourths fielded a strong side in the visit to league leaders Portadown 4ths at Chambers Park. This was a fairly physical affair as the Clare front row dominated their opponents in the scrums.It was the home team that went ahead from a converted try and a penalty but the Clare hit back with scores from both wingers -Trevor Clarke and Mark Fox whose try was converted by John Wasson so they led narrowly 12-10 at half time. In the second half play was still closely contested but eventually the Clare pack produced good ball for Andy Watson to get a try. This was followed by another from prop Rodney Hall as well as another from Jordan Brownlee with one conversion by Wasson. So the Clare side had beaten the league leaders convincingly 29-10. There were sound performances from Gary Ashe in the second row,Rodney Hall and flanker Moore but the man of the match was centre Gareth Smith.
SATURDAYS FIXTURES -1st XV v Limavady (away) -there is an appeal for support for this game as Limavady have got stronger since the Clare beat them at home early in the season.2nd XV vColeraine 2nds (home); 3rd XV v Larne 2nds (away); 4th Xv vC.I.Y.M.S.4ths (away)
ANNUAL PRESIDENTS DINNER
CLICK HERE for the action shots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last Friday night was the Ballyclare annual Presidents Dinner which managed to proceed despite obvious travel problems for both members and guests due to a flag protest in the town. This function is the only one of its kind in Ulster and there were close to sixty present including Presidents from several clubs though some were missing possibly because of the Heineken Cup match at Ravenhill. The notion of a Presidents Night was instigated by Martin Armour who was club President in 1977 as a means of entertaining fellow Presidents from other clubs which had special connections with the Clare club. At that first Presidents Dinner in the old Clareview clubhouse there were only around a couple of dozen present but they included Noel Henderson and Jack Kyle who were presented with club plaques and who also entertained everyone with several songs ! At this year`s Dinner following an excellent meal club President Willie Shaw gave one of his typically entertaining speechesand was followed by contributions from John Strange (Carrick R.F.C.), George McClure (former Ballyclare 1st Xv captain and President), Roger McCune (former coach), Gareth Johnston (Vice President) and Norman McBriar (Ballynahinch R.F.C.)
