Ballyclare recover from shock start in local derby
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
BALLYCLARE Rugby Club 1st XV took on local rivals Academy at the Cloughan on Saturday in excellent playing conditions.
The visitors had made a good start to the league with only one defeat.
Ballyclare moved Hanna to back row and Evans returned in second row, Clotworthy back at out-half, Jackson
came in on the wing and skipper Coburn was moved to centre. It was the visitors who made an impressive start with their useful backline creating a try for Carson after only 3 minutes and the conversion made it 7-0.
Three minutes later they repeated the performance as Kelly put Carson away for a second converted try and
the 'Clare side was 14-0 down. After Academy kicked to the corner, S. Morrow cleared and followed up to the break to the opposite 22 where he found Weatherup who raced in at the posts with Clotworthy converting to make it 14-7. The vistitor's full-back missed a penalty chance before Clotworthy and S.Morrow set up a strong counter attack. The home side kicked deep through Colin Morrow and were almost over again. Academy were wide with another penalty and they lost a prop, leading unfortunately to uncontested scrums. Weatherup raced into the visitors 22 and from a short penalty Colin Morrow made ground to put Heaney in for a try converted by Clotworthy. It took a brave tackle by man of the match Paul Morrow to prevent an Academy score. Another break by C. Morrow ended with Weatherup being stopped close to the line so it was 14-14 at the interval. With a poor re-start by the home side, the visitors made ground but Clotworthy cleared and from half-way Waetherup raced in for his second score converted by Clotworthy for a 21-14 lead. Despite losing another player injured, Academy still came forward through Kelly and it needed another good tackle by P.Morrow. Following a break by C. Morrow the visitors were off-side and Jackson was first short from 40 metres with the penalty. With Academy down to 13 men, Ballyclare should have been in control but too often the ball was not best used when in posession. Strong play by Coburn enabled S. Morrow to slot over a drop goal for a 24-14 lead. Near the end Clotworthy broke clear on half-way and raced in for a solo try which he converted to give Ballyclare a 31-14 win. They made hard work of this one but the opposition to their credit never gave up and were unfortunate to lose injured players.
Ballyclare- S.Morrow, J.Jackson, P.Morrow, C. Coburn, G. Weatherup, G. Clotworthy, C. Morrow, T. McAuley, J.McKendry, D.Tweed, I.Heaney, D.Evans, J.R. McAuley, W. Logan, M.Hanna.
Seconds lose
The Seconds were away to a strengthened Instonians III and were unfortunate to experience several strange decisions. In a fairly close first half, they did well after a sluggish start when Inst got two scores. The Seconds hit back with tries by James Montgomery and John Wasson, one being converted by Ian Russell. This made it 13-12 at half time but early in the second half, the lighter Seconds pack saw two scores conceded. They did hit back with an unconverted try and then a penalty by Russell. A good late try by Graeme King kept them in touch. But a hardsh decision saw a couple of players yellow carded and Inst scored again to win 40-25.
For the Seconds - J.Montgomery, Wasson and King were sharp in the backs while Alexander stood out in the forwards.
Thirds win well
The Thirds did well to beat Portadown III at home with Ryan Wilson outstanding at fly-half. The visitors got a try
after missing a penalty but Andy Alexander kicked two penalties to lead 6-5 at half time.
In the second half good work by Crothers and Lyle saw scrum half A.Watson scoring a superb try to lead 11-5.
Mid-way through, good play by Norton ended with Cusack racing over for a try not converted for a deserved 16-5 victory.
Best for the Thirds were Ashe and Todd up front plus Wilson, R.Wasson, and Watson in the backs.
A weakened 4th XV lost 41-3 away to Antrim. The Fifth XV game was called off.
At youth level away to Ards U18 XV lost 10-11, U16 XV lost but U14 XV won 39-12.
Saturday fixtures
2nd XV v. Coleraine II (away)
3rd XV v. Malone III (away)
4th XV v. Ballymena V (home)
5th XV v. BHS F.P. III (away)
Youth teams all away to Carrick.
