Ballyclare off to a flyer
Wednesday, 17 September 2008
BALLYCLARE got their league programme off to a flyer with a resounding victory against Donaghadee, who were thrashed 50-17 on Saturday afternoon.
This opening fixture in the Qualifying League Section 2 was played in glorious sunshine at The Cloughan, where the home side effectively sealed the points by running in five tries in the first half while conceding a single penalty.
Winger Gary Weatherup opened the scoring, and this was soon followed by another by full back Stevie Morrow. Weatherup then doubled his tally, and was responsible for earning a penalty try, when he was taken out unceremoniously with the line at his mercy. Gary Clotworthy playing at centre, had converted all four scores, and he maintained his one hundred per cent record with the boot, when he goaled his own score to leave his side leading 35-3 at the interval.
The Dee showed up better in the second session and immediately reduced the deficit, but further touchdowns by winger Jonny Reid and hooker Jamie McKendry, one of which was converted by Clotworthy, ensured that there would be no visiting revival.
Commenting coach Robin Byers said: "We can no longer be classified as a young side, and I demanded that everyone would stand up and by counted this season. I was delighted with the response from both pack and backs. There was plenty of commitment and support all over the pitch, and our aim must be to get back to where we belong in Qualifying 1."
Ballyclare: Stevie Morrow; Gary Weatherup, Gary Clotworthy, Chris Coburn (C), Jonny Reid; Ian Russell, Colin Morrow; Alan Boyd, Jamie McKendry, Jonny Birkmyre, Ian Heaney, David Evans, Graham McKinstry, Martin Todd, Willie Logan.
The Thirds completed the double over Donaghadee when they whitewashed the Dee 2nd XV 32-0 in County Down.
Skipper Andy Watson led the charge with a brace, while Gareth Byers added two penalties and three conversions to his score.
Graham King was first on to the scorecard when he crossed for a try that was goaled by Byers, who also slotted over a penalty to give the visitors a 10-0 lead at the break.
After the interval the home side found difficulty in getting out of their own territory, and Byers scored his side's second touchdown when he crossed for a score that he was unable to convert from the touchline, but moments later he stretched the lead to 18-0 with a penalty.
Ballyclare were now in full flow, and following a thrust by the pack, scrum-half Watson increased Ballyclare's advantage with a score that Byers goaled.
Watson then doubled his tally when he went in for an intercept score, and Byers completed the rout when he added the points.
Chris Mawhinney wearing number seven, Darren Montgomery and Davy Tweed impressed in the pack, while centre Jamie Crothers and full back Byers stood out in the back division.
Commenting Andy Watson said: "Our superior fitness and mobility were major factors in this impressive win. Throughout the game we were faster to the breakdown, and especially in the second half we monopolised possession."
The 5th XV completed a hat-trick of wins when they edged out Academy III 43-37 in an entertaining Junior League fixture.
John Wasson made a major contribution with seventeen points - a try, three conversions and two penalties, with other scores coming from Dave Caldwell (2), Jonny Barnett and Stephen Crawford.
This weekend's fixtures: 1st XV Carrick, away; 2nd XV v City of Derry II, home; 3rd XV v Banbridge IV, away; Youth XV v Malone, home.
