The snow and frost which seems to have lasted for a long time meant that Ballyclare rugby just like that across the province at the week end was a total white out. The 1st XV match against C.I.Y.M.S. will have to be re arranged as will those fixtures for the other club sides from Saturday past. Unless there is a substantial thaw this week fixtures for Saturday 11th Dec. will be in considerable doubt. The break in league games does give a chance to examine the league positions of the club teams. The 1st XV playing in Qualifying 2, after a disappointing start have been on a strong run with four consecutive victories and are close to third place behind Donaghadee and C.I.Y.M.S. both of whom are unbeaten. The Qualifying 2 table is as follows —–
TEAM PLAYED WON DRAWN LOST BONUS POINTS
Donaghadee 7 7 0 0 5 33
C.I.Y.M.S. 7 7 0 0 4 32
Omagh 9 6 0 3 3 27
Ballyclare 7 4 0 3 5 21
U.U.C. 7 4 0 3 4 20
Lisburn 7 3 1 3 2 16
This table is for the top half of the league only and does not show the other clubs notably Carrickfergus;Belfast High (F.P.),Enniskillen and Grosvenor (F.P.).
Ballyclare 2nd XV play in Junior 1 where the top sides are all from Qual.1—Armagh 2nds; Clogher Valley 2nds and Ballymoney 2nds. The Clare 2nds have played 10; won 3; drawn 1 and lost 6 to have 7 league points and lie ninth out of 12 teams.
The Clare Thirds play in Junior 3 and have played 10; won 4; drawn 1 and lost 5 to have 11 points. The team lie in seventh place out of 12 teams as the leaders are Academy 2nds; Grosvenor 2nds and Coleraine 3rds.
The club`s Fourths mainly consisting of veterans play in Minor East 1 and are the current leaders being unbeaten having played 10 and won 10. Their main rivals are Ballymena 5ths who are also unbeaten after 9 games
At the other end of the age structure Ballyclare Under 19 are also table toppers and have already won the league (Group 3) being unbeaten with 27 points. The other Area or Group Winners at Under 19 level are City of Derry or Balllymoney (Group 1); Ballynahinch (Group 2) and Virginia or Armagh (Group 4) The four league winners will go on to the play offs in the New Year. Meanwhile the draw was made recently for the Under 19 Cup which is played as a round robin and the Clare boys have to face Omagh (away) and Malone (home). The winners progress to the knock out stages of the cup.
SATURDAY FIXTURES (weather permitting) 1st XV v U.U.C.(home );Seconds and Thirds have no games scheduled; 4th XV McCambley Cup; U.19 XV v Rainey O.B.
