Ballyclare High school`s record making run by the 1st XV this season which was hoped to be the precursor to a solid onslaught for a Cup campaign almost came up short at Downpatrick on Saturday against a fully committed Down High side who were gutted at losing after leading up to the last few minutes . But the narrow 10-9 win for Ballyclare gives them a quarter final away to Sullivan Upper and normally this would rate as a real achievement but after Saturday`s victory coach Dan Soper made his feelings very apparent to the team and hopefully they will not live on the edge in the next match. He added “There was a huge sense of relief at the end and to be fair on the day Down High played very well and could have won”.
In recent years Down High have improved their rugby standing and have developed a close link with Ballynahinch R.F.C. They had an excellent win in the third round of the Schools cup the previous week and included an Ulster Schools prop and a second row in a physically strong pack. Despite Ballyclare`s great record this season this cup tie was always going to be a tightly contested affair.On the day the visitors did not play their best despite good conditions and the absence of full back Mitchell McComb was very apparent as he is a strong counter attacking player. His place was taken by winger Ferguson who to be fair kept the Clare boys in the game with a late try saving tackle.
In the first half the home side showed up well and forced Ballyclare into errors . The visitors did start several promising moves only to drop a pass or knock on at vital times . Down High did enough to get a couple of penalties which were kicked to take a deserved 6-0 lead at the break. The Clare boys were given strong advice by the coach at the interval but Down increased the lead to 9-0 with another penalty. This at last seemed to act as an awakening call to Ballyclare and they made ground into the home 22. However the alarm bells again rang for the visitors as the pacy home winger broke away and was heading for atry in the corner when the chasing Peter Ferguson managed to show his speed and stop the attack. Just before this the Clare pack drove from a lineout and kept up the momentum for the reliable Peter Kennedy to go over for a try which Holmes could not convert. This had kept them in the game but time began to run out. Very close to the end two penalties by Holmes pushed the pack deep inside the Down 22 and initially Grant Bartley was stopped close to the line.With a couple of minutes onthe clock the pack again surged to the home line and this time Bartley got the touch down and though Holmes failed to convert the Ballyclare supporters were relieved to be 10-9 ahead–for the first time in the game . There was only tme left for the re-start and Ballyclare had successfully played their last card in the nick of time. There were strong performances up front by Jonny Darling and second row Kirk Johnston while Peter Ferguson did quite well playing out of position especially with that try saving tackle.
OTHER SCHOOL FIXTURES
Last week Ballyclare High Medallion XV beat Dromore 13-5 in the third round of the Medallion Shield. Today (Wednesday) at 3-00 p.m at Ballyclare the Thirds and Fourths play Dungannon Royal and B.R.A. respectively in the UlsterSchools 3rd XV Trophy. TO_morrow the Seconds, last week beat Grosvenor 55-0 in the Schools 2ndXV Trophy will take on local rivals Larne Grammar in the third round also at home at 3-15 p.m.
