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Ballyclare Rugby Club 1st XV did not have a game on Saturday but the Seconds were at home to Omagh 2nd XV who were previously unbeaten in Junior 1 but on the day they suffered an injury in each half and finished the game with thirteen men. So it was no surprise that Jonathan Birkmyre`s team went on to a fairly facile 40-14 win. The only other club side playing on Saturday was the Fourths who also enjoyed an easy 60-3 win away to P.S.N.I. 2nds in agame which was halted mid way into the second half.
Ballyclare 2nds 40 Omagh 2nds 14—-
This game was played on a wet pitch at the Cloughan and in the first half the home side had wind advantage. Anearly run by Crawford took play into the Omagh 22 but the visitors defended well to halt the move. Then a powerful surge by J.J. Baird gave Clotworthy the chance to get the opening try but he could not manage the conversion. Another strong break from Baird ended with the opposite winger Jamie Crothers going over for a second unconverted try for a 10-0 lead.
Next a run up the right by Crothers and good work by Andy Watson and Birkmyre almost made a try for centre Gillen. The pressure led to a penalty and this time Russell slotted over the kick to take a 13-0 lead at half time. Omagh had lost aplayer but kept trying to compete.
In the second half the visitors pushed forward but Stephen Wright broke out and found Gareth Boyd who scored in the corner. The Tyrone men hit back and following a missed tackle they got in for atry which was converted to make the score 18-7. But a strong run from Crothers ended with a try by Clotworthy to increase the lead to 23-7.Then the Omagh men lost another player to injury and the Clare pack drove upfield for second row Crothers going in for yet another unconverted try. A strong run by the impressive Ross Scott made ground and he finished off the move with another score which was converted by Russell for a 35-7 lead. A break from Gillen almost had Crothers in again but Omagh to their credit came back and forced a converted try . However a strong break out by Scott and Crothers ended as Chris Gillen raced over to get the last try once more not converted to make the final score 40-14 to the Seconds. There were several good performances from backs and forwards on a poor surface.
P.S.N.I. 2nds 3 Ballyclare 4ths 60—
This Minor league like several of the Fourths fixtures was a one sided affair. On A quality pitch at Newforge the Clare side dominated all phases of play against a struggling home team and at half time a lead of 41-3 did not flatter Neil Reynolds team. The referee only played 20 minutes of the second half as the Fourths continued to run in scores. No fewer than 10 tries were scored with 4 from man of the match centre Trevor Clarke. The others came from Reynolds (2), John McDonald (2),Darren Montgomery and the best one from Gary Ashe. Stuart Barnett kicked four conversions and Cavan watson got one –the home points came from a penalty. There were fine performances by Ashe,Gaston,Logan and Peel all in the pack, This week the team meets Ards 4ths and hope for a tighter game.
Saturday Fixtures—1st Xv v Queens 2nds (home) Conference League; 3rd XV v Limavady 2nds (away); 4thXV v Ards 4ths (home); Under 19 XV v Carrick (home)
The officials,players and supporters of Ballyclare R.F.C. were sorry to learn of the sudden death of Jim McBride last week. A past President of the Ulster Referees Society, Jim was a regular at the Cloughan for many years and even as recently as three weeks ago he was present in his role of referee assessor. He was a very good friend of the Ballyclare club and was welcome on the touch line and in the clubhouse after the game when he always was on hand to give one of the officials as much helpful advice as possible. Jim will be sadly missed by all his friends at Ballyclare and condolences are expressed to his wife Maud and the rest of the family circle at this time.
