HOLLINGER PARK OPENED AS HIGH SCHOOL CONTINUE GREAT RUN
Last Saturday morning was a memorable day for the sporting afficiandos of Ballyclare High School held the official opening of another major venue. Early in the morning a group of staff,former pupils,members of the Governors,N.E.E.L.B. officials,representatives of Ballyclare Rugby Club and Templepatrick Cricket Club plus former Headmaster Mr.Cecil Millar and Newtownabbey Mayor Paula Bradley met in the school for an excellent breakfast. Afterwards the Headmaster Mr.David Knox welcomed everyone but especially former Vice Principal Wilbert Hollinger and described the efforts made by him over several decades at the school to improve the facilities particularly for sport. The last of these schemes was the re development of the sports grounds at Rashee road and it was decided to name the complex Hollinger Park which now has two quality sand based rugby pitches;a cricket square and associated car parking. Former Head of P.E. at the school Tommy Young also spoke of the work done by Wilbert in several fields of sport. Mr. Hollinger thanked the Headmaster for his comments and expressed his gratitude at having the grounds named after him.Following the speeches the party travelled the short distance to the new pitches and the unveiling ceremony was carried out by Mr.Hollinger prior to the first use of the grounds for the match between Ballyclare High 1st XV and Foyle College.
We managed to get a clip of Wilbert Hollinger & Dan Soper commenting on the opening of the new pitches, and below report pictures and video clips of tries and interviews with coaches from both I XV & II XV Ballyclare high School v Foyle & Londonderry College
[youtube siKa675EbVU]
[youtube PRG_MYnnlHQ]
BALLYCLARE HIGH I XV 32 FOYLE COLLEGE I XV 7
It was fitting that the High School 1st XV held on to their great unbeaten tag on the new grounds against a very gutsy Foyle side who scarcely deserved to lose by this margin. This first match produced a lot of good attacking rugby from both teams and an early run by Peter Fergison led to Paddy Hamill almost getting over but Foyle cleared.Jonny Holmes kicked deep and again Hamill made ground leading to a penalty which the fly halfkicked to put the home side 3-0 ahead. Ballyclare got to the visitors line with forward pressure and Holmes cut through for a try which he converted to increase the lead. Foyle responded with a run by the impressive Hanna but Holmes cleared the danger and followed up to get over for his second try out wide. Foyle ended the half pressing on the Clare line following a short penalty but the home side held a 15-0 interval lead.
Click Here for pictures from I & II Ballyclare High v Foyle & Londonderry College – CLICK HERE –
Ballyclare re-started with intent and Marc Logan made ground for number eight Johnny Darling to race over from the 22, conversion wide. Foyle countered with attacking play and got a deserved try from Steve Chi converted by Chris Campbell to make it 20-7. But an interception at pace by Andrew Butler brought him a score again converted by Holmes to increase the home lead. The visitors countered with a surge in mid field by their useful centre before Butler again broke clear only for the pass to go to ground. Then a break by Jonny Douglas and Mitchel McComb could have led to a try but for lack of support. The home pack drove to the line and despite good defending by Foyle , Butler raced upfield and the forwards made ground to allow Peter Kennedy to get in at the corner for a try not converted. The 32-7 win helps to keep the fine run going for Ballyclare which now must be a record. Overall it was a good team performance with threating pace from the backs notably in the second half.
[youtube kdc_CQ29aMM]
[youtube iPfz3Ii7GOM]
[youtube RF4JxW07Nh8]
[youtube I09vxauB6CA]
