On Saturday Ballyclare Rugby Club teams recorded superb wins for a fine start to the 2010-11 season. Ulster Senior club 2nd XVs this year are being given fixtures with Qualifying clubs and Banbridge 2nds were the visitors who suffered a 76-0 loss to the Clare 1st Xv. The Seconds beat Carrick 2s in Junior1; the Fourths defeated Carrick 3rds in the Minor league and the Under 19 XV also won against Carrick.
221 Pictures here from all the teams in action at Ballyclare – CLICK HERE TO VIEW –
Ballyclare 76 Banbridge 2s 0
An early run by Steve Morrow almost led to a first minute try. Further home pressure saw Weatherup taking off to put McGrugan in near the corner for the opening score. Another Weatherup break ended with a try for Paul Morrow before good work by the home back row led to P. Morrow getting a second score converted by Clotworthy to lead 17-0. A kick ahead from Russell ended with a score for hooker Scott converted by Clotworthy and next Weatherup and McGrugan combined to put P.Morrow over to get his hat-trick again converted by Clotworthy to go 31-0 in front. Then Scott broke from half-way to get a solo try as Clotworthy added the points. Further approach work from Weatherup ended in skipper Logan scoring in the corner. Just before the interval Reid created a try for McGrugan and again Clotworthy added the points to put the Clare 50-0 ahead at the break.
Early in the second half Weatherup got a deserved score converted by Clotworthy. Banbridge kept trying but had a forward yellow carded and Weatherup followed a kick ahead to score again and Clotworthy converted for a 64-0 lead.
The next try came from Clotworthy and Weatherup ended the rout with a score from half-way for Clotworthy to add the points and a score-line of 76-0 which overall was impressive. Hopefully the same style can be applied on Saturday against Omagh in the league at home.
Team— S.Morrow, J.Reid, G.Clotworthy, P.Morrow, G.Weatherup; I.Russell, C.Morrow; G.Watters, R.Scott, A.Boyd; I.Heaney, K.Purce; A. McGrugan, W.Logan (capt.), C.Coburn.
Ballyclare 2nds 10 Carrick 2nds 3
This was a close affair as the visitors pack proved strong in most phases but they were unlucky to lose a player injured early on.
The Clare side made chances but too often passes were dropped or knocked on. Full-back Jackson waswide with a couple of penalty chances and it was still scoreless at half-time. The Seconds went ahead with a try in the corner by Mark Weatherup which was not converted.
Then a strong run by Trevor Clarke took him in to score out wide again unconverted but they were 10-0 ahead before Carrick got a penalty. According to coach Gareth Johnston the pack was under pressure but McKinstry and Wright both did well while Jackson and Irvine were the best of the backs.
Ballyclare U.19s 12 Carrick U>19s 9
The Under 19 match was a close tussle with Carrick leading 6-0 fron a couple of penalties. The Clare boys replied with a try from number 8 Chris Gawn converted by scrum half Stephen Beasant for a narrow 7-6 lead. Carrick re-gained the lead with another penalty.
But in the second half a try in the corner from Adam Dyer again put the home side 12-9 in front. Afterwards coach Robin Byers commented that Beasant, Gawn and second row John Gillen all had performed well,
Carrick 3rds 0 Ballyclare 4ths 46
The greater experience of the Fourths was the main difference in this game at Woodlawn with an early try by Alan Carson converted by Wasson who also added a penalty. Further scores from Gaston and Boyd took them 23-0 up at the break. Although the Fourths lost Reynolds they dominated the second half with further tries by Watson,S.Barnett and Smith plus conversions and a penalty from Wasson for a very comprehensive victory
SATURDAY FIXTURES
1st XV v Omagh (home) ; 4th XV v Bangor 3rds (home)
