Clare see off CI
After the cup and a week off, Ballyclare returned to Qualifying 1 action at a sunny Belmont. Kick off an hour earlier than usual due the RWC final. An injury stretched, but with some returning players, still to get a league win, CIYMS was the opposition. Ballyclare took the field with a reorganised starting line-up. Stalwart, Willie Logan started at lock, with Davy Chambers coming in at 8. Andy Watson at 9, Bobby Smith deputised for the unavailable Niall Lawther. With G Byers taking up the full back birth these were just some of the changes to the Clare side.
Two, long range (halfway), uncharacteristically missed, penalty kick attempts by Robert Smith were the first threat Ballyclare provided in the opening minutes. Clare opening brightly, playing in the CI half and forcing errors from CI. After ten minutes of play, with Ballyclare on top for most of it, CI under pressure on their 22m, conceded another penalty. A much more agreeable distance for Smith, as he stroked over to put Ballyclare 3 up.
With play in the CI half, CI infringed and Smith was on target again to increase the lead. CI tried for the posts with a long range penalty attempt, which was wide and short. Ballyclare’s Achilles heel was exposed again as CI kicked a penalty to touch, deep into Ballyclare’s 22. The resulting lineout was won and the ball mauled to the line. The conversion was missed, Clare still had the lead. They increased it soon after. From a ruck, midfield, 30 metres out from the CI try line the ball was sent right to Willie Logan, who took at pace and broke the CI line. Passing to Gary Weatherup, who was on his shoulder, the line getting ever closer, Gary completed the chain to Tweed on the right wing, who ran in to score in the corner. The conversion struck the upright and stayed out. The half drew to a close with Ballyclare 11-5 up. A scrappy first half, Ballyclare plenty of possession but failing to get the breakthroughs to convert into points. Clare were on top but had a scare or two as CI mounted a few sustained attacks of their own.
CI had the early penalty attempt in the second half. The CI kicker’s bad luck continued as he missed from a relatively straight forward position. Smith, now over his early jitters, kicked his third penalty soon after to increase the Clare lead.
CI, playing with a strong breeze on their backs, started to put Ballyclare under pressure in their 22. Superb Ballyclare defence at a succession of CI pick and go’s saw them able to clear their lines. Tiring from earlier efforts Ballyclare’s defence was breached again when, from a quickly taken tap penalty, CI spread the ball right. A slower to react Ballyclare couldn’t get the cover across to stop CI scoring in the corner. Their kicker was on target this time to bring CI back within 2 points. Anxiously supporters looked at watches. There was 15 minutes left on the clock.
As the clock ticked down CI missed another kickable penalty and also missed a long range attempt at the death that could have snatched the win away from Clare. Final score CIYMS 12 Ballyclare 14.
Ballyclare picked up a win against a side who comprehensively beat them twice last season, but unfortunately another couple of injuries with Clotworthy and Scott taking knocks. With a cup quarter final at Instonians next week and a league game at home in a fortnight against Dromore, games continue to come thick and fast to the Ballyclare team. It’s hoped the injuries are not serious. It was a good all round team performance with Michael “Slim” Stevenson putting in a good shift before taking a knock and being substituted. Andy Watson had a steady game and Stewart Cusick tackled hard and often!
At the Cloughan, the 3’s continued their bright start to the season with a home win against Lisburn 3’s. Tries from JJ Baird, Tony Turner and a try and conversion by Luke Montgomery saw the 3’s to a 17-5 victory.
Ballyclare 1st XV (15-1) G Byers, R Tweed, G Clotworthy, D Clarke, S Cusick, R Smith, A Watson, D Chambers, G Weatherup, J McKinstry, M Stevenson, W Logan, A Boyd, R Scott, D Lawther.
Replacements; A Neill & J Reid
Ballyclare travel to Shaws Bridge next week where a Junior Cup quarter final against holders Instonians awaits. The 4’s have a home fixture against Grosvenor 3’s.
