FIRST LEAGUE WIN FOR BALLYCLARE
Ballyclare 1st XV after losing their first three league games came back in style on Saturday at home to a struggling Belfast High (F.P.) side and won 67-10 with the game halted at least five minutes short of full time. The match was sponsored by Business and Scientific Services and the Clare made several changes with Clotworthy at fly half, Weatherup on the wing, Coburn at prop, Wylie at hooker and McKinstry in the second row. The home side started well as Weatherup raced up to the 22 and Clotworthy kicked ahead. Then Paul Morrow broke from half way and brother Steve went over to score near the corner, conversion wide.
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High School came back and their centre broke through for a try converted by the out half to edge 7-5 ahead. But the home side should have scored when S.Morrow had an overlap but did not get a pass away.Minutes later a break by Clotworthy put Jackson in at the posts and Clotworthy added the points. The home side applied the pressure and S.Morrow was in again on the left to lead 17-7. The visitors now lost a man injured. Following a drive by the home pack Weatherup raced in to
score and Clotworthy converted to put Ballyclare into a 24-7 lead at the interval.
Early in the second half after a Paul Morrow break flanker Nigel Moore ran in from half-way for an unconverted try. High School briefly hit back with a penalty to make it 29-10. Another strong run by Moore led to a try for P.Morrow converted by Clotworthy. Next the home side had McGrugan harshly sin-binned but despite the handicap following a penalty Moore went in for his second try to lead 41-10. The visitors were in bother after losing a flanker and from a scrum Logan put Collie Morrow over for a try which Clotworthy converted. The home pack surged to the line and McGrugan scored a try to make it 53-10.Next P.Morrow raced in from half-way for a solo try converted by Clotworthy,. A late run from Jackson enabled Steve Morrow to score again and it was converted to leave it 67-10 with close to 10 minutes left. Team S.Morrow; J.Reid,P.Morrow,J.Jackson, G.Weatherup; G.Clotworthy,C.Morrow; A.Boyd,A.Wylie,C.Coburn; R.Boyd,G.McKinstry;A.McGrugan,W.Logan (capt.),N.Moore.
SECONDS LOSE AWAY
The Seconds had several cry-offs for the trip to Ballynahinch 3rds and introduced anumber of players from the U.19 XV notably Wallace,McCartney and Bowers. But the Hinch were more experienced and led 6-0 following two penalties. Then a penalty by Andy Watson reduced the lead but the home side got two tries one being converted as the Seconds were under real pressure so the Hinch were 18-3 up at the break.
In the second half a strong run by Scott allowed Wallace to get a try and Gillan`s conversion hit the crossbar.However the home side increased their lead to 24-8 from two penalties.At this stage they lost skipper Michael Stevenson with an ankle injury. Forceful play up front by McCartney resulted in Jamie Crothers getting a try which Gillan converted. A late home penalty gave the Hinch a clear 27-15 lead which was the final score. They always had the greater experience while for the Clare boys Wallace and Scott did well up front and Baird and Crothers showed up in the backs.
THIRDS WIN EASILY AT GREENISLAND
THe Clare Thirds made it a miserable day for Belfast High (F.P.) when they recorded a 40-5 win against the local rivals at Greenisland. The Thids opened with a try from Mark Thompson and then had another from Nick Hazel converted by Gareth Byers to lead 12-0. Byers kicked two penalties to increase the lead and a score from Alex Baird made it 23-0 at the interval. The momentum continued in the second half and an early try from Gareth Reynolds converted by Byers took it to 30-0. This was followed by a try from Chris Hall before the home side got a consolation try. A late score for Hall left the final score as 40-5 in this Junior3 game.
The greatly anticipated clash between John Wasson`s 4th XV and Ballymena 5ths under the floodlights on Friday night was called off due to the heavy rain during the day and will have to be re-arranged.
Saturday`s Fixtures—- 1st Xv v Enniskillen (away); 2nd XV v Enniskillen 2nds (away); 3rd XV v Coleraine 3rds (home)
