WARDROP DOUBLE GIVES CLARE WIN IN TOUGH DERBY
Ballyclare 1st Xv completed exactly half of their fixtures in Qualifying 2 on Saturday at Tom Simms Memorial Park in a very physical clash with Carrick but came out with a welll deserved 25-0 win to stay unbeaten at the top of the table. Closest to the Clare are Omagh and Randalstown each having lost twice -theyboth won on Saturday and will meet each other at Randalstown this Saturday. Saturdays match at Carrick was sponsored by James Hagan who played on the first ever Clare side to reach the final of the Towns Cup in 1973. There was a very big attendance at both the pre match lunch and the game from Ballyclare well outnumbering the home support. The game was one of the most physical encounters of the season for the Clare with the pack standing up to their bigger and heavier opponents bravely with Weatherup,J.McKinstry and D.Lawther all doing well to keep goin g despite injuries.
CARRICK 0 BALLYCLARE 25 CLICK HERE for the shotssssssssssssssssssss
The only changes for the Clare side were the return of Wylie at hooker and Wardrop on the right wing -his third different position since promotion from the 2nd XV. An early break by prop D.Lawther and Weatherup saw N.Lawther taking play up to the home 22 and Wardrop pushed an early penalty close to the corner. But Crawford was penalised and Carrick cleared. But in the next attack a home clearance was charged down and Wardrop made a strong run but lacked support.Carrick were off side but Smith was just wide with the penalty.Then in the next attack again it was Wardrop who dummied his way past the home defence to nip in for the opening try that was goaled by Smith to go 7-0 up. Carrick`s big pack were competing strongly in the loose and managed to reach the Clare 22 as J,McKinstry had to be treated for a shoulder injury. Skipper Rab Boyd made the first of many driving runs back into the opposite 22 and the home team gave away one of many first half penalties for Wardrop to take the Clare up towards the home line.Another penalty against Carrck allowed Smith to slot it over to take Ballyclare 10-0 ahead. Great work by J.McKinstry in the loose gave Smith the chance to run back into the home 22 but Carrick recovered well to get a penalty whichwas missed. With half time beckoning a promising surge up the right from the Lawther brothers almost led to a score but the Clare pack lost posession as they tried to drive over and it was stiull 10-0 at the interval.
Early in the second half D.Lawther was injured as he appeared to be tackled rather late and next it was Weatherup was down and needed treatment.But Coburn drove well from the next lineout and Smith following up was halted near the line. Carrick had strayed off side and Smith knocked over the kick to take the lead to 13-0. Another attacking run from R,Boyd gave N.Lawther a chance but there was a foot intouch . Carrick did counter but Morrow chipped his kick back to the opposite half under real attrition.Next Wylie who had agreat game in the loose appeared to be taken out without the ball and Smith pushed his team well upfield. Another fine drive by Skipper Boyd gave D,Lawther the chance to power over for the second try and Smith was just wide with the attempted kick. Then as Smith went for a high ball he was tackled in the air dangerously but strangely the only decision was a penalty.After this Carrick applied alot of pressure into the Clare 22 forcing tackles by Crawford and the Clare back row to prevent their line being crossed. However Weatherup hacked the ball upfield and thatman Rab Boyd was availablke to get up and reach the home 22 for Wardrop to collect the pass and cross in the final minute for the try converted by Smith for a convincing win and a big improved showing from the previous week at Ards.This was a really hard earned victory with everyone doing well notably R,Boyd,D,Lawther,Coburn,Wylie and J,McKinstry in the pack plus Crawford,Smith and Wardrop in the back line.
