The Carrick age group sides continue to do the Club proud, with Under 19s winning their Plate semi-final on Saturday 7 April, the impressive Under 15s going through to their Cup final- they were already in the League final- and the Under 13s moving into the Bowl final. On Saturday morning, the Under 15s beat City Of Derry in their semi-final while the Under 13s overcame Malone in theirs. On Saturday afternoon, the Under 19s beat Rainey by 23 points to 15 in a hard-fought Plate semi-final. at Tom Simms Memorial Park. Although on top in the scrum and edging things in the loose, Carrick found it hard to shake off a plucky Rainey side who managed to off-set some of their disadvantages by keeping ball in hand for long periods. With an excellent kicker like Adam Kendell in the side, a dominant scrum, a smoothly functioning line-out and a great driving maul, Carrick might perhaps have made more use of the kick/chase game to try to force Rainey into putting the ball into touch in their own territory. That said, Carrick were able to get the points when they needed them and to defend solidly when they had to. Particularly impressive in this regard was “man of the match” Adam Reid who put in a number of crunching tackles, at least one of which was a try saver.
Carrick began strongly and took the lead after eight minutes when Neil Fraser touched down following a catch and drive from a line-out. Adam Kendell added the conversion points. However, Rainey who were doing well with ball in hand into the breeze, got a try of their own after fifteen minutes when they went over in the left-hand corner following a series of picks and drives and a tap penalty. The try was not converted. Ten minutes later, Adam Kendell put over a penalty to give Carrick a 10 points to 5 lead but Rainey replied with one of their own to leave the home side leading by just two points. On the stroke of half-time, and following another catch and drive off a line-out, Marcus Brush ran an excellent line to go over near the posts. Adam Kenell added the conversion to give Carrick a 17 points to 8 lead at the break.
In the second half, Rainey, with the wind helping, enjoyed more territory and continued to keep possession for lengthy periods. Fifteen minutes into the half, their out-half made a great break which could have led directly to a try but for an good tackle by Carrick scrum-half Adam Reid. The ball was quickly re-cycled however and the visitors’ winger went over for a try. This was converted to reduce the deficit to two points once more. Shortly afterwards Adam Kendell steadied Carrick nerves somewhat when he put over his second penalty. Despite a spirited effort from Rainey, the home side’s defence remained on top and Kendell made the game safe with his third penalty with five minutes remaining.
The Carrick team was:
J. Simmons; L. Wilson, M. Brush(Capt), R. Hamilton, C. Ward; A. Kendell, A. Reid; B. Young, S. Davis, J. Murray, T. McMenaminn, R. McKay, N. Fraser(A. Magill), J. Millar, M. Ferris.
