Ballyclare falter in second half
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
BALLYCLARE Rugby Club 1st XV moved from Qual. 2 league rugby to the mini-league based Junior Cup on Saturday with a trip to Shaws Bridge to play Instonians II.
As the Clare had lost away to Armagh, hopes of progressing were limited. Inst. were unbeaten in the 2nd XV league.
In the first half Ballyclare started strongly and were the better side but the home team broke away to get an unconverted try in the corner for a 5-0 lead. But the visitors hit back with a penalty by Clotworthy. The same player kicked a second penalty to edge 6-5 ahead.
Ballyclare should have been further in front - winger Reid was stopped near the line and scrum half Byers broke clear from half-way and should have gone on to the corner were J.R. McAuley went close as he followed up, but it was still 6-5 at half time.
In the second half Inst. made good use of the stronger wind while the Clare side did not get the earlier control, this was to result in an early converted try to the home team for a 12-6 lead from a push over try. Ballyclare hit back with another penalty by Clotworthy which made it 12-9.
But Inst's forwards who had got the upper hand drove over for another try which was converted for a clear 19-9 lead. Inst dominated the last quarter and their pack did well - they fully deserved the win.
For Ballyclare Reid and Byers did quite well in the backs while up front J.R. McAuley got through a lot of work.
Balyclare - S. Morrow, J. Reid, D. Crawford, G. Clotworthy, G. Weatherup, I. Russell, G. Byers, T. McAuley, J. McKendry, S. Crawford, I. Heaney, D. Evans, C. Coburn, W. Logan, J.R. McAuley.
Ballyclare II 27
Ballymena III 12
Ballymena arrived missing a prop as well as a touch-judge as the Clare boys dominated the first half. A good early run by McDonald and Smith could have brought a score but minutes later Norton followed a kick ahead to get a try converted by Jackson.
The home backs continued to run the ball and a break by McDonald allowed King to race in for a score converted by Jackson and a 14-0 lead. Next out-half Wilson broke clear from half-way and went over for a try which was not converted.
Ballymena's prop now arrived but from a scrum, another mid-field break allowed King in for his second try to put the Seconds 24-0 up at half time.
In the first half Alexander was outstanding in the pack and dominated in the loose.
Ballymena did better in the second half and forced Wilson to clear to half-way. The visitors came back and a strong run from the 22 led to a deserved try by their wing -forward.
Fortunately good play by Alexander and Smith enabled McDonald to slot over a drop goal to increase the lead to 27-5.
Then the Ballymena prop broke clear to go in for a converted try reducing the Clare lead to 27-12. The visitors attacked again but Wilson cleared and Jackson, from a penalty took play to the visitors 22. This was a deserved win for the Seconds in Junior I.
In the pack Alexander, Stevenson and Tweed worked well in the loose while Jackson, McDonald and King always made ground in the backs.
Ballyclare IV 19
Randalstown 24
It is not often that a Randalstown team wins in Ballyclare but they fielded a strong side in this minor league game. The Fourths started well and prop Keith Marshall went over for a try converted by Michael Taggart.
Then a kick ahead by Scott Henry enabled Andrew Alexander to score an unconverted try. Anderson did manage to kick two penalties so at the interval the Fourths led 12-6.
But the visitors pack got on top in the second half and drove over for three tries adding a penalty to get a strong 24-12 lead.
The Fourths kept trying and near the end Gareth Todd raced in for a try which was converted by Taggart. This made it 24-19 and Randalstown held out for a narrow win.
Fifths win away
The Clare Fifths have had three excellent seasons but this year were forced to cancel a couple of games leaving them on minus points.
But on Saturday they travelled to Carrick IV and managed a 12-7 victory in the Minor League. They had tries from Davy Wallace and Mark Fox with one converted by John Wasson.
Saturday Fixtures
This weekend both Firsts and Seconds go to Co. Tyrone to play Omagh. The First XV must win to keep up their league challenge - they will be without their skipper Coburn.
Thirds are away to Queens III.
Fourths are away to Coleraine V.
The youth teams are at home to Malone in the three leagues.
