Ballyclare 1st XV travelled to Omagh on Saturday with concern after the Co.Tyrone club`s Towns Cup win over Portadown and the big attendance at the pre-match lunch suggested a lot of confidence by the officials and supporters of the home club. But the White Hare men tore up the script totally by inflicting a massive 52-8 defeat of the Accies in this Qualifying 2 game.Certainly it was a team effort which must have pleased Clare coach Bob Young but no fewer than 37 points were down to centre Gary Clotworthy who managed a hat trick of tries plus a bagful of conversions and penalties. The only changes were Steve Morrow at full back and Ryan Tweed in the second row. The Clare played up the slope inthe first half and an early run by Logan led to Omagh straying off side for Clotworthy to kick the penalty. The home side made ground but play was halted as the Clare`s flanker Moore was down with a broken nose but he soon came back on. After a clearance by Russell winger Baird broke to half way and Clotworthy raced in to get his opening try which he also converted for a 10-0 lead. Good kicking by Russell pushed the visitor`s pack upfield and Baird made ground into the home22 for the forwards to drive to the line and Coburn went in for an unconverted try. Further pressure saw Omagh penalised at a ruck and Clotworthy`s kick took his side 18-0 ahead. The home side lifted their game to get near the Clare line forcing Collie Morrow to clear and the backs turned defence into attack for Clotworthy to go in again to score and convert which left the Clare 25-0 up at the break.
Omagh lost a prop injured to bring unopposed scrums but they re-started well as Hamilton kicked a penalty. But they got themselves off side to allow Clotworthy to put the visitors 28-3 ahead and minutes later a late tackle which led to a yellow card for a home player enabled the same kicker to extend the Clare lead. Soon after this Clotworthy broke from near half way to go in for his third try and added the points for a 38-3 lead. The Tyrone men stormed to the line and despite strong Ballyclare defence Ferguson got over for a try. However the east Antrim side were not finished and winger Weatherup raced away from forty metres to go in at the left corner to make it 45-8. Omagh countered and were five metres from the Clare line when centre Jackson intercepted a pass and ran the length of the ground for atry which was converted by Clotworthy. While the latter was outstanding with his haul of points the Ballyclare pack did really well in both set pieces and loose where McGrugan,Moore,Logan and Robert Boyd all stood out but this was a fine team effort with another bonus point.
Team S.Morrow; J.J.Baird,J.Jackson,G.Clotworthy,G.Weatherup;I.Russell,C.Morrow;A.Boyd,A.Wylie,C.Coburn;R.Boyd,R.Tweed; A.McGrugan,W.Logan(capt),N.Moore
Results Crawford Cup B/Hinch 3rds 18 B/Clare 2nds 3 ; B/Clare 3rds 3 Dungannon 3rds 33; McCambley Cup Armoy 13 B/Clare 4ths 16
MIXED RESULTS FOR BALLYCLARE JUNIOR SIDES
Both Ballyclare rugby club 2nd and 3rd XVs were beaten in the first round of the Crawford Cup on saturday. The Seconds were away to a strong Ballynahinch 3rd XV and went down 18-3.The Hinch had an early penalty plus a converted try before Chris Gillan slotted over a drop goal to make it 10-3 at half time. More pressure in the second half led to a home try and they added a late penalty but the Seconds worked hard with a lighter side and were well served by Gillan as well as the Crothers brothers.
The Thirds lost 33-3 at home to a big heavy Dungannon3rds team and had to start with a man short. The Tyrone side were 12-0 up after only twelve minutes from two tries before Byers kicked a penalty. But another Dungannon try gave them a 19-3 interval lead and in the second half they scored two further tries for a comfortable win but they do play in two sections above the Clare Thirds who were best served by Adam Dyer and A.Baird.
In the third round of the McCambley Cup the Clare Fourths had a last minute score to beat a gutsy Armoy team in North Antrim. On a narrow pitch the Fourths led 3-0 from a penalty from skipper Wasson but after losing Campbell with a broken nose the home pack drove over for a try to go 5-3 up. S.Barnett moved to out half and soon started the move which saw Fox getting a try bnear half time. In the second half Wasson was wide with a couple of penalty chances and Gaston was sin binned.Armoy made it 8-8 from a penalty and then Wasson slotted over a kick. But from a short penalty Armoy got a late try to go 13-11 ahead. Into the dying minutes a move started by Lamont led to Wallace going in for what was the winning score at 16-13 and as skipper said “We had stolen the game !” He added that there had been strong performances by Lamont,Sempey(unlucky not to score),Gaston,Alexander and Noel Sm yth.
FIXTURES Tonight (WEdnesday) 4th XV v Ballymena 5ths away 7-30 p.m.
Saturday 1st Xv vArmagh away 2nd Round Towns Cup; 2nd XV v Armagh 2nds home; 3rd XV no game; 4th XV v Carrick 4ths home (1-00 p.m.)
