The Maxol-sponsored Carrick 1st XV were beaten by 25 points to 6 by CIYMS in a League match at Woodlawn on Saturday 11 December. While the so far unbeaten Belfast side deserved their victory, this was a much better performance from Carrick than in the away fixture at Belmont in October. Indeed, the final score somewhat flattered the visitors, with their final seven points coming in injury time as Carrick pressed for a try of their own. Had Carrick taken their chances, and not gifted CI a try early in the second half, the result could have been much closer. The home side were under pressure throughout in the scrum from the bigger CI forwards and had an unfortunate tendency to turn ball over at crucial moments. However, for the most part they competed strongly at the breakdown and defended well. Prop Paul Greenaway, in particular, put in some crunching tackles as well as being Carrick’s most effective ball-carrier. Aaron McKinney looked threatening in attack on his return from injury and Jason Wady continues to show promise at centre.
Carrick began well but it was CI who took the lead, somewhat against the run of play, with a penalty after thirteen minutes. The first half-hour was fairly even, with Carrick dominating territory if not possession, but the visitors scored the first try of the game on the half-hour. Their forwards were allowed to make ground far too easily towards the Carrick line and, from a scrum 5, their scrum-half darted over. The try was converted to give the visitors a 10 points to nil lead.On the stroke of half-time, Carrick had a great chance when Aaron McKinney sliced through the CI defence after a well-timed pass from Michael Patterson but the full-back was tackled close to the line and at the ensuing ruck Carrick turned the ball over.
The visitors extended their lead six minutes into the second half with another penalty .Virtually from the kick-off, the CI No 8 was alllowed a virtually free run out of his own half and a well-timed pass to his winger gave CI their second try. This was not converted and the visitors now had an 18 points to nil lead. As in the first half, Carrick were managing to play much of the game in their opponents’ half but just could not turn pressure into tries. They spurned another good chance when Karl Quinn breached the CI defence but Carrick couldn’t hold onto the ball at the tackle. The home side’s first points came from a Kris James penalty after twenty minutes of the half and the out-half added another three on the half-hour. Carrick finished strongly but, unfortunately, conceded another try in injury time when a well-worked break put one of the CI forwards clear to stumble over under the posts. The try was converted to leave the final score at 25 points to 6 in CI’s favour.
The Carrick tean was:
A. McKinney; R. Moore, J. Wady, W. Anderson, K. Quinn; K. James, M. Patterson; D. McKeen, M. Nugent, P. Greenaway, S. Currie(Capt), C. Rea, N. Marsden, R. Higgins, A. McKeen.
Also on Saturday 11 December, the Carrick 2nd XV lost away to Ballynahinch III by 22 points to 17. The Carrick tries came from Brian Alexander and Mark Anderson who converted both and kicked a penalty.
The 4th XV lost to PSNI II in the McCambley Cup by 10 points to 3, Alan Waide collecting Carrick’s only points with a penalty.
The 5th XV beat Queen’s IV in a League and McCambley Cup double-header by 21 points to 17. The Carrick tries came from Craig Clarke, Neal Kennedy and and Ronnie Curry. Ross Hunter converted all three.”Man of the match” was awarded to Mark Kidd.
The Carrick Under 19s beat Ballymeana by 22 points to nil, with tries from Nathan Greenwood, James Simmonds and Gary Andrews. Adam Kendell kicked two conversions and a penalty. “Man of the match” was awarded to the captain, Nathan Greenwood.
The Under 17s went down by 32 pointsto nil away to Malone but the Under 15s hammered their Malone counterparts by 58 points to nil.
The Minis entertained Ballymoney after three weeks without a game and put in some good performances.
Fixtures for Saturday 18 December are:
1st XV vs Grosvenor, away
2nd XV vs Armagh II, away
3rd and 4th XVs, no games
5th XV vs Ophir III, away
Under 19s vs Randalstown, home
Under 17s, Under 15s and Under 13s are at home to Malone
Minis have training
Ladies- no game
