BALLYCLARE RUGBY I XV WIN BUT NO BONUS POINT
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Ballyclare 1st XV continued their good league run on Saturday at a wet Cloughan ground with a 19-0 win over a big strong Enniskillen side but were frustrated at not getting another bonus point which would have come from a fourth try. Clotworthy continued at out half as Ian Russell is out injured and Reid was on the wing as J.J.Baird is also injured. But the team started well as the home backs made ground into the 22 . However the Fermanagh men defended strongly and their heavier pack drove up to the home half where they forced a penalty but the kick was short of the posts.
Then Steve Morrow broke up the left side and the Clare pack surged into the 22 with Collie Morrow diving over to get the try near the corner and Clotworthy added the points from close to the touch line for a 7-0 lead. This was after 25 minutes but shortly afterwards a break by Clotworthy led to him racing deep into the Skins half and Steve morrow was up in support to go in at the corner for the try with Clotworthy again kicking the conversion from a wide angle to make it 14-0 at the interval.
Enniskillen started the second half well dominating the scrums and also doing well in the lineouts but the Clare back row countered to make ground only for McKinstry to be harshly penalised. In fact on several occasions when the home team got into attacking positions they were penalised but eventually Clotworthy cleared and also made a good break to put jackson away only to be halted near the visitors line..The home pack again surged forward into the corner with Collie Morrow nipping over to get a try which was not converted. They now looked for the fourth try but were halted on several occasions once as Weatherup raced away up the left and again from a good break by man of the match Paul Morrow. However the Skins pack kept pushing forward forcing Collie Morrow to clear. Into the last ten minutes and Rob Boyd and then Logan were halted close to the line so it ended as a 19-0 win to the Clare as they keep the pressure on the Dee for second place.The game was sponsored by Reid, Black and Co. and the mach ball by Michael Whitley Architects.
Team S.Morrow,G.Weatherup,P.Morrow,J.Jackson,J.Reid;G.Clotworthy,C.Morrow;A.Boyd,A.Wylie,D.Montgomery;R.Boyd,G.McKinstry;N.Moore,W.Logan (capt),C.Coburn. Referee– Mark Hermin.
BALLYCLARE RUGBY II XV 22 ENNISKILLEN RUGBY II XV 3
The Clare Seconds are ending their Junior 1 league campaign on better form after several defeats and had a good win over E nniskillen 2nds at home. They made a bright start as the mobile forwards took play deep into the opposition half and hooker Ross Scott who had an impressive game raced in for an early try which Byers could not convert. But minutes later Byers slotted over a penalty to put the Seconds 8-0 ahead . Just before half time Ennislillen had a penalty to make it 8-3 at the break. A good start from the Seconds after the interval saw Nial Lawther breaking away from his own 22 to race in for a superb solo try which was converted by Byers to increase the lead to 15-3.Next Gillen was unlucky to be held up on the line but from a lineout Scott broke clear to go over for his second try and Gillen added the points to make the final score 22-3 to the Seconds and the game was halted a few minutes early.
The Clare Thirds were due to play Lisburn 3rds but the latter were unable to raise a team.
With so many games to be played following the frost and snow of the winter the season has been extended to the end of April.
NIGHT AT THE DOGS—The club has arranged a special “Night at the Dogs ” on Saturday 2nd April at 7-00 p.m. This includes a return coach trip to the Ballyskeagh Greyhound Arena at Lambeg and a four course Dinner with the chance of making a few pounds! Tickets are £50 and are available from Kenny Wylie who can be contacted on 07764814096.
SATURDAY FIXTURES—1st XV v Carrick (away) . This was originally due for Friday night but is to be played on Saturday. 2nd XV vCooke 2nds (home); 3rd XV v Limavady 2nds (away); 4th XV v Malone 5ths (away);
SPONORS OF THIS SECTION
