Ballyclare R.F.C. had three of their four adult sides in action at the weekend and each one managed to record wins by scoring over fifty points.
1st xv defeating Grosvenor F.P. 57-20 at home ; 3rd XV winning 62-5 away to Lisburn Thirds and the 4thXV crushing Belfast Harlequins Fourths at home 55-0.
Ballyclare 57 Grosvenor F.P, 20
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Ballyclare again had changes with Tweed, M. Crothers and Finlay all coming into the pack plus Jackson returning at centre and after a pulsating game at Belmont against Grosvenor a few weeks ago when the Clare were fairly fortunate to win narrowly this one was expected to be a close affair. In perfect conditions the game was sponsored by Country Estates and an early break from Baird almost had Logan in.But from the ensuing scrum the ball was moved wide and Weatherup went in at the corner to go 5-0 up. Next a break at pace by Clotworthy, Baird and Byers led to a try for Clotworthy converted by
Morrow and a 12-0 lead. The visitors hit back with a penalty given for not releasing and then the Grosvenor winger beat Reid to get a try on the right and the conversion cut the home lead to 12-10. Grosvenor again made ground and forced a penalty when a Clare forward was harshly sin binned for not getting back quickly and it was kicked to see the city side lead for the first time.Then Reid broke clear for a score which was ruled out for a foot in touch and Morrow was just wide from a penalty. However a surge from Baird enabled Lawther to move the ball out for Byers to score a try and Morrow added the points . After a strong run by Logan Weatherup was up in support to get his second try converted by Morrow to give the Clare a 26-13 lead at half time.
Early in the second half Grosvenor lost a man due to injury and an attack from Reid resulted in Morrow nipping in for a score and he added the points to go further ahead. The home pack kept up the pressure as M.Crothers drove close to the line and from the next ruck the second row did get a deserved try and Morrow converted for a 40-13 lead.Grosvenor`s out half did well to get a try back and converted but they were to lose a prop and later the Clare also had their prop carded.Then Logan made ground from aruck to go over for a try again converted by Morrow and take a 47-20 lead. As the Clare totally dominated a break by Byers led to a score for Reid and following well won lineout ball M.Crothers surged over for the final try and a scoreline of 57-20. Ballyclare had dominated much of the second half after a closely contested first period in a good team performance.
Team–G.Byers; J.Reid,J,Jackson,G.Clotworthy,J.J. Baird; N.Lawther,C.Morrow; A.Boyd,A.Wylie,M.Finlay;M.Crothers,Mi.Crothers;R.Tweed,W.Logan (capt),G.Weatherup;
THIRDS WIN AT LISBURN
Tony Turners Thirds–the treble T`s fielded a strong set of backs away to Losburn 3rds in Junior 3 and totally dominated most phasesof play. In the first half the Thirds had tries from S.Cusack,Mark Weatherup,Andy Watson and Chris Davies plus two conversions and a penalty from Andrew Alexander against a try by the home side. This gave the clare a 27-5 lead and they kept up the pressure in the second half as the back line took Lisburn apart with tries from David Crawford, Graham King with two,Mark Weatherup and Chris Magee as well as five conversions for Alexander. There were great performances by King and Crawford but a special word must go to skipper Turner who took a knock and ended up in hospital to get stitched.
FOURTHS WIN AT EASE
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The Clare Fourths have not been tested all season in their league but were playing second placed Harlequins and expected a tough game. They were able to field a strong side and always had too much experience for the younger opponents. The Clare side ended with a 55-0 victory and they were scored by Trevor Clarke who got a hat trick, Nial Lamont,Cavan Watson,Harry Gaston,John McDonald with two and Martin Todd plus five conversions from John Wasson.
DEFEAT FOR LEGENDS
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On Wednesday nght under the Gibson Park floodlights a combined Ballyclare/Larne side managed by Davy Wilson played a strong and experienced Malone team in the new Legends league. The visitors were just edged out narrowly by 22-19 with tries from Gareth Smith,Paul Sempey and Mark Surgeoner with two conversions for Bob Wasson.
SATURDAY FIXTURES
1st XV v Bangor (League Leaders) home; 2nd XV v Ballynahinch 3rds away; 3rdXV v Bangor 2nds home Under 19XV v Randalstown (away).
UNDER 19 Success
Robin Byers took the Clare Under 19 XV to Larne for a league game and despite going down 5-0 in the first half to a home try kept in contention and Chris Harvey was just wide with a poenalty chance. In the second half Harvey controlled play on his own and scored a try as well as kicking two penalties and a conversion. He was the man of the match for his performance but there were also good performances by Jordan Scott and Gareth McConnell in the second row. tThis was a good result for the team as they finished 13-5 winners.
