Ballyclare 1st XV brighten up a gloomy Boxing Day at the Cloughan
Ballyclare played a competitive fixture on Boxing Day for the first time in many years. Belfast Harlequins 2nd XV were the visitors for the Qualifying 1 Conference League fixture. As a curtain raiser to the big match over 40 members from across the club family of Mini’s, Hares, Youth, Seniors, Parents and Committee members enjoyed a run out as a for an hour of family fun touch rugby organised by former President Garth Johnston.
A gloomy wet day at the Cloughan required the floodlights to be on from the start of the game, however an entertaining game of rugby lifted the spirits of the assembled spectators.
Quins started the game determinedly and saw an early penalty attempt and a chance to take an early lead, go wide. After 15 min Robert Smith turned down a kick at goal in favour of a well hit kick to the corner. From the resulting lineout on the 5m line a great take at 4 set up a driving maul. Prop David Lawther got the score as the Ballyclare pack powered over the line. The conversion by Smith was just wide. From the restart, Quins retained ball possession well, eventually finding the gap and scoring to the right of the posts. Their conversion was good giving them a 5-7 lead. Ballyclare were starting to create a dominance in possession and territory, out half Lawther creating the platforms for the Ballyclare backline to attack. A quickly taken penalty inside the Quins 22, saw David Clarke take the ball at pace and prove unstoppable as he crossed the line. Smith on target with the conversion this time, gave Ballyclare a 12-7 lead at half time.
Ballyclare kicked off the second half and were soon to score again. A long clearance kick by Quins ended up just outside Clare’s 22. It was gathered by Niall Lawther who broke left, striding towards half way, he sent a perfectly weighted pass which found wing Andrew Butler, who sped past the covering Quins defence to touch down in the left corner. The score was now 19-7.
Ballyclare were playing some impressive rugby in attack, great inter-passing and pace. They were rewarded with another try midway through the second period. A sweeping movement involving forwards and backs found Gary Clotworthy on the left wing, he received a pass from Willie Logan who had been involved in most things all game. Clotworthy slipped the tackle to power over the line. Smith added the conversion giving Ballyclare a commanding 24-7 lead. Ballyclare thought they had a scored again when Clotworthy, tight to right touchline in his own half kicked ahead, Smith had gathered and raced to the right corner to “score”, but was called back because Clotworthy had put a toe in touch prior to the kick. Quins hit back with a try under the posts and converted, to bring the score back to 24-14. Clare continued to exert pressure on Quins. Entering Quins 22 the ball was agonisingly knocked on. From the resulting scrum, it was expected Quins would clear their lines. However, Ryan Tweed, playing at flanker, had other ideas. As the ball came out the back of the Quins scrum, Tweed broke. He stripped the ball of the Quins 8 and crossed the line to score Ballyclare’s 5th and final score of the afternoon. Full time 29-14.
Another great team performance against a senior 2nd XV, the team producing a dominant, controlled display that should instil some confidence ahead of next week’s Towns Cup tie away to Ballymena 2nd XV.
A big week of cup action for all 4 Ballyclare teams next week. The 2nd XV have a second round Crawford Cup game away to Banbridge 3’s. The 3rd XV are away to Lurgan 2nd XV in a Forster Plate match. Foxy’s 4’s are the only home fixture when they host Malone 4th XV in a Forster Cup second round tie. Good luck to all.
Ballyclare 1st XV (1-15) D Lawther, R Scott, A Boyd, R Boyd, A Neill, J McKinstry, R Tweed, W Logan, A Watson, N Lawther, S Cusick, D Clarke, G Clotworthy, A Butler, R Smith.
