Highlights Of Play!!!!!!!!
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Ballyclare 1st XV maintained their fine run in Qualifying 2 at Tom Simms Memorial Park with a massive 55-10 win over local rivals Carrick which gave Willie Logan`s men another bonus point-the tenth to date.All three top sides in the league won to maintain the status quo with U.U.C. and Omagh along with the Clare staying in the chase. In the first half the home team had advantage of a near gale force wind but did not make the best of it due to strong scrummaging by the Clare eight allied to great work in the loose by Logan,Weatherup,McKinstry and Coburn. CLICK HERE FOR 58 INTOUCH RUGBY PICTURES & HERE for 100+ Action Shots courtesy of Gleno Photo. In fact it was the visitors who made the first attacking move with Clotworthy and W eatherup racing into the 22 where Lawther beat two defenders to put Reid in near the corner for a try which Morrow could not convert kicking into the gale.Carrick hit back to earn a penalty but James was wide and more home pressure forced Morrow to clear. However the home side again made ground into the Clare 22 as Byers missed a tackle and Baxter went in for a try for Carrick to make it 5-5. Following further home pressure Byers ran the ball out of his own 22 and Lawther completed the clearance work with a kick to touch. Next a surge upfield by Reid made ground for the Clare and the pack drove a series of rucks deep into the home 22 ending with the ball coming back to see Reid going in for his second score not converted. But in the closing minutes of the half following a penalty Carrick`s James went in for atry to leave it all square at 10-10 on the half time whistle.
Ballyclare had wind advantage in the second half and soon had the home team under pressure.Lawther kicked to the corner and a break by Baird was taken on by Lawther before putting Logan in for the try and Morrow was just wide with the conversion attempt.
Then a break by Lawtherfrom a short penalty led to try from Clotworthy to go 20-10 ahead. Next Reid raced towards the home line and the Clare pack surged forward with Logan going in for his second try converted by Morrow for a 27-10 lead. Another break from Lawther on half way made the opening for Weatherup to race in for a score and Morrow added the points. Ballyclare were now well in control and the pack made ground ending with another score this time for Baird with Morrow converting to go 41-10 ahead. Minutes later Lawther made the opening on half way and Weatherup got over for the score and again Morrow added the points. Carrick made a late effort to break out but Reid raced clear and Clotworthy was up in support to get the final try with Morrow converting to make it 55-10. This was a powerful all round performance from Ballyclare as the pack had dominated both in set pieces and in the loose as the back row again were outstanding and in the backs Jonny reid had his best game to date.
Ballyclare-G.Byers; J.Reid,G.Clotworthy,J.Jackson,J.J. Baird;N.Lawther,C.Morrow; A.Boyd,A.Wylie,M.Finlay;G.McKinstry,M.Crothers;C.Coburn,W.Logan (capt),G.Weatherup.
