Try Fest at the Cloughan
Ballyclare RFC progressed to the quarter finals of the MMW Junior Cup with a highly entertaining, 7 try, 50-24 victory over visitors Cooke on a dry but blustery day at the Cloughan. Cooke, who were last in Ballyclare a fortnight ago for a league fixture got blown away as the Robinson Services sponsored Clare men put on a stunning display of attacking rugby.
For images from the game CLICK HERE. Images from George Heron, familycarsni.com
Coaches Chris Campbell and Darren Best rotated selection again with Holmes and Brownlee coming into the front row. Clarke McCartney joined Captain Robert Boyd in the second row for the second time this season to great effect. The backline remained unchanged.
In the tenth minute full back Byers was caught just short of the Cooke line, the ball was quickly recycled with Niall Lawther popping to brother David who crashed over to start the scoring. Byers added the conversion. The second score came quickly with a fine individual score by centre Stephen Beasant. Beasant received a pass on the Cooke 22 at pace and sprinted for the line. Eluding 2 Cooke attempts to stop him, he touched down in the corner. Byers continuing to impress with the boot, slotted over the conversion masterfully. He added a penalty kick a couple of minutes later to give Ballyclare a 17-0 lead.
Cooke converted a penalty of their own before the rampaging David Lawther burst through the Cooke defence, he offloaded to the supporting Clarke who continued the attack. Clarke drew the defence before slipping the ball to James Greer who crossed the line, rounding the posts to give Byers a straight forward conversion.
Niall Lawther, having an excellent game, deftly kicked across field, allowing wing Michael Kirk to hack through and touchdown increasing Ballyclare’s lead to 29-3. Cooke scored just before half time when their centre evaded the Ballyclare defence and went in at the posts to cut the score to 29-10.
Ballyclare continued their dominance in the second half, a quickly tapped penalty by Morrow allowed McCartney to burst over, bringing Clare’s try count to 5. Niall Lawther added the 6th with a trademark elusive run from Cooke’s 10 metre line. Byers adding the extras. Leading 43-10 with a quarter of the game left, Ballyclare evidently took their foot of the gas but still scored a fantastic 7th try involving no less than 6 players. Clarke burst up the centre of the pitch, passing to the supporting Holmes. Receiving a pass, Robert Boyd carried the ball strongly, offloading to Niall Lawther. The ball swept through a number of supporting backs and Kirk crossed for his second of the match. The customary Byers conversion brought the score to 50. Cooke added a couple of tries of their own late on to leave the full time score, 50-24.
An exhilarating display by Ballyclare where half backs Colin Morrow and Niall Lawther controlled an ever growing in confidence back line. Iain Holmes had a great game at hooker taking against the head on a couple of occasions. Robert Boyd and Willie Logan put in another fine display. “Men of the match” was awarded to Clarke McCartney and Jordan McKinstry, with both young players being rewarded for their all-round work rate.
Clare’s 2nd and 4th XV’s capped a great day with wins away to Larne 2’s and Lurgan 2’s respectively. Earlier U16 and U18 recorded victories over the visiting Donegal Town RFC.
Next week the 1st XV have a week off, whilst the 4’s play at home on Wednesday evening. The 2’s will have their second derby game of the week when, on Friday night, they play Carrickfergus 2’s. 3’s travel to Coleraine on Friday evening. Games played midweek because of Ulster taking on European champions Toulon on Saturday, 1pm.
Ballyclare 1XV (15-9): Gareth Byers, Michael Kirk, Stephen Beasant, David Clarke, James Greer, Niall Lawther, Colin Morrow. (1-8) David Lawther, Iain Holmes, Jordan Brownlee, Clarke McCartney, Robert Boyd, Jordan McKinstry, Gary Weatherup, Willie Logan.
Replacements: Al Boyd, David Chambers
