Carrick RFC U15s completed a league double over their Malone RFC counterparts at Gibson Park on Wednesday night having defeated them on the previous Saturday at Woodlawn.
The good relationship between these two clubs Youth Sections was illustrated once again when Carrick agreed to travel for a Wednesday night fixture to the Redsox stronghold in the shadow of Daddy Winkers Lane.
Malone smarting from the comprehensive defeat at Carrick certainly upped their performance & presented a stern challenge to a Carrick XV which at times lacked enthusiasm & focus.
For all their efforts however Malone proved no match for the individual & collective efforts of the Carrick XV who have come to the end of the year & their league campaign in the best of rude health.
An established starting XV strongly supported by a group of seamless replacements has seen this very young U15s group grow into their first season at this age group.
The usual suspects weighed in with scores in the form of Sam Wallace, John Stewart, Neill Beggs , Jake Porter & Calum Wilson. Wallace also weighed in with a number of conversions.
Biggest cheer of the night was for Ian Kerr who is breaking into the team more & more, his first league try of the season was just reward for hard work & diligence.
James Carson continues his rehabilitation back in the side & provides the coaches with the perfect problem of having three first choice props.
Elsewhere John Turner continues to bring big carries to the party providing a great target for breakaways Jake Gardner & Cody Surgeoner.
In the backs Connor Cambridge continues to build the partnership with Wallace whilst Jake Porter & Calum Wilson provide midfield clout.
Dylan McDowell provides back three stability in tandem with Jamie McCracken & Jamie Wright.
David Stewart along with “the dangerous brothers” Kris & Rhys Berry have proved invaluable squad members of late & their efforts are greatly appreciated.
Carrick U15 58- 0 Malone U15
Red tide washes over Malone.
Malone’s pitches at Gibson Park were frozen so this Elite Ulster League fixture was switched to Downshire School.
The Belfast side travelled to Carrick missing one or two key players and you really have to be on your mettle to take on this very talented young Carrick side. As a consequence the game as a contest was virtually over in the first fifteen minutes.
The red of Carrickfergus virtually swamped Malone who simply could not cope with wave after wave of speedy and fairly brutal attacks. Try as they did courageously Malone simply could not stem the incoming tide of scores.
Sam Wallace was first of the sheet when he threw a great dummy after some great ball carrying by John Turner, Corey Kelly and John Stewart. Wallace converted his own try.
On the very next play Callum Wilson playing on the wing to accommodate the return of David Stewart scored on the right. Only 3 minutes later Conor Cambridge broke blind and fed Wilson who once more galloped to score at the posts. Wallace Converted.
At this stage Malone were all at sea and at a loss to know how to cope with this onslaught. They recovered manfully and scrum half Lewis Field and their out-half and number 8 all combined well to put Carrick under some pressure for the first time. Unfortunately Malone turned over the possession after a smashing double team tackle from Cody Surgenor and Jake Gardiner; when the ball broke loose to Captain Jake Porter he needed no second invite and ran 60 metres to score below the posts. Only 2 minutes later Porter repeated the dose leaving several Malone defenders trailing in his wake, again Wallace added the points.
On half time coach Hunter brought on Ian Kerr, Glenn Cunningham, Stefan Pollin, Johnny Stewart number 2, Jamie McCracken and Gareth Smith replaced Dylan McDowell at full back. On many teams this would cause major turmoil but those healthy replacements only added to Carricks surging attack mode. Jake Porter completed his hattrick either side of tries from the Berry twins before man of the match Wallace added his second of the game when he converted this final try the whistle sounded.
Final score, Carrick 58-0 Malone.
John Stewart, ever keen to find improvement in his team commented that, “even though it was a big win, Carrick will still need to do better for next week’s away game to Malone if they are to progress to qualify for the league play-offs.” Stewart speaking from Ravenhill, where he was watching his heroes Ulster beat Bath, praised the return of his front row partner Jamesy Carson and looked forward to the return of Neil Beggs for next week’s game.
