BALLYCLARE RETURN TO TOP OF LEAGUE
Ballyclare Rugby Club 1st XV regained pole position in Qualifying 2 on saturday from Bangor who did not have a match. The 49-0 win at the Cloughan over Lisburn brought the expected bonus point so the Clare team now moves 4 points ahead of Bangor but coach Bob Young knows well that the next three weeks bring a huge test for his side with away games at Carrick and Grosvenor followed by Bangor at home. The game was sponsored by Reid,Black and Company who were thanked at the pre match lunch by Vice President Gareth Johnston who was standing in for Willie Shaw. Again there were changes with Wylie back as hooker,Henderson in at prop and Gillen and Cusack as the centres.
Ballyclare 49 Lisburn 0
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The White Hares started with intent and an early break by Wylie and R aineyled to fly half Lawther ghosting his way through the visitors defence on four minutes to score atry that was converted by Byers. Lisburn did their best to play at pace and forced Byers to clear but they were awarded a penalty and managed to get into the home 22. However Weatherup hacked on to half way and Lawther again cut deeply into Lisburn territory leading to a penalty which was kicked by Byers for a 10-0 lead. A deep kick from Lawther kept the Clare going forward and Morrow raced away but Logan was unable to hold the pass. Then another break by scrum half Morrow was taken on by flanker Weatherup and Lawther was up in support to get his second try with Byers converting. Lisburn threatened with good work from their number 8 but he was stopped by Rainey and G. Weatherup. The home three quarters opened the ball at pace and good linking from Rainey wing Laughlin raced in near the corner for a try to give his team a 22-0 lead at the interval.
An early kick from Morrow in the second half had Lisburn back pedalling and Logan made a barnstorming surge to give G.Weatherup the chance to get atry converted by Byers as the home side dominated. Next a break by full back Byers allowed the home backs to race away and this time wing M.Weatherup got the touchdown to go 34-0 clear. Continued pressure by the Clare back with all forwards doing well took play to the Lisburn line and further ground made by G.Weatherup saw lock Boyd driving ahead and centre Cusack went in for the try which was not converted. Near the end another astute angled kick by Lawther gave wing Weatherup the chance to sprint into the 22 and man of the match Willie Logan was up to go over for the score. A late attack from M.weatherup from half way gave him a score to leave it at 49-0 to Ballyclare -a comprehensive victory.Again the back row excelled well supported by Boyd and McKinstry while both half backs were sharp throughout and the backs ran with purpose and intent.
Team -G.Byers;M.Weatherup,C.Gillen,S.Cusack,N.Laughlin;N.Lawther,C.Morrow;A.Boyd,A.Wylie,R.Henderson;R.Boyd,G.McKinstry;G.Weatherup,M.Rainey,W.Logan
CLARE SECONDS WIN AT LISBURN
Ballyclare 2nd XV got another win away to Lisburn 2nds in Junior 1 to stay in the top four places of the table despite missing coach Gareth Johnston who was doing the honours at the 1st Xv pre match lunch at the Cloughan. The Seconds had a few changes from the side that had won well the previous week at Carrickfergus but were well in control for long periods at Eglantine Road .They made the best possible start when second row Heaney drove over for the opening try and Smith converted for 7-The Seconds pack again made ground into the home 22 and this time it was man of the match flanker Nigel Moore who went in to score and Smith added the points for a 14-0 lead. At this stage Lisburn managed a converted try when the Seconds slackened their control. Then fly half Smith cut through the home defence for a score and added the points so the Clare had a 21-7 interval lead.
Despite Lisburn having a big pack the more athletic Clare eight won a good supply of ball and prevented any scoring opportunities to the home team. The game was wrapped up when impressive flanker Moore beat the cover to go in for his second try out wide .There was no more scoring but ballyclare were good value for the win and there was a good performance from the front row plus Moore while in the backs both half backs Smith and Wardrop controlled play.
Malone 3rds 50 Ballyclare 3rds 15
This was something of a mismatch as Malone were able to field a strong side on the day as their seconds did not appear to have a game. A special word of praise has to go to Tony Turner who stood in at prop instead of his usual place of hooker. Malone were well on top in the first half to lead 27-0. But the Thirds upped the pace in the second half as David Rodgers went in for a try converted by Alexander. The latter player also kicked a penalty and near the end Chris gawn scored out wide . However the Malone backs proved too sharp and broke through on four occassions to increase their lead and win most comfortably. Best for the Thirds were Turner at prop and scrum half Watson who had a fine match.
YOUTH RESULTS -Saturday was not a good day for the club`s youth teams. The Under 19 Xv travelled to Lurgan three men short and naturally went down heavily.
The other sides were away to Portadown -Under 17 Xv lost 57-7; Under 15s won 22-21; Under 13 Xv lost 39-0.
Saturdays Fixtures -1st XV v Carrick (away)-It is vital that a strong support is present for the team at Tom Simms Memorial Park for this game. 2nd Xv vOmagh 2nds (home); 3rds v Portadown 2nds (home); 4ths v Ophir 2nds (away)
