Successful Derby Week for Ballyclare 2nd XV CLICK HERE for the SHOTSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
With the 1st XV enjoying a welcome break in their schedule, this week the focus shifted to the other Cloughan Teams. Under lights, on Friday night, the 2nd XV played their second derby game in six days. Having come away with their first win of the season against their Larne counterparts last Saturday, Iain Holmes men won an entertaining game against Carrickfergus 2nd XV.
Carrick opened the scoring, converting a penalty after 10mins to take the lead. Ballyclare reacted by progressing up field, deep into Carrick territory. From a scrum on the Carrick 22 metre line, the Clare men worked through a couple of phases, lock Matt Dailly received a pass, broke through a couple of tackle attempts and crashed over for the first try. Full back, Kris James, added the conversion. Both teams’ defences held out to leave the score 7-3 at half time in Ballyclare’s favour.
A line break by outhalf Stephen Bailie, almost brought a second score. Bailie found a gap and drifted through, giving a pass to the supporting flanker Sam Craig, who was tackled into touch just short of the line. Ballyclare continued to take the game to Carrick, whose high penalty count gave Ballyclare clean ball to mount further attacks. An unstoppable break from Ryan Tweed, scrum half, from base of an attacking ruck gave him the second score. Captain Iain Holmes crossed for the third. From a ruck, with the Carrick defence all left, Tweed broke right passing to Bailie to take on and give a perfectly weighted pass to the supporting Holmes to score. The game ended with Ballyclare worthy 17-3 winners. The returning from long term injury Bailie, added a real attacking threat to the Ballyclare back line. Nathan Laughlin and David Crawford impressed in the centre. Matt Dailly, Michael Stevenson and Ross Scott stood out in a great performance by the pack.
The 3rd XV suffered from player availability difficulties and came away empty handed from Coleraine, losing heavily against Coleraine 3rd XV. Special mention must go to former President Garth Johnston for his efforts ensuring the Ballyclare team took to the field. The 4th XV lost narrowly 18-10 to a youthful Armagh 3rd XV on Saturday.
Next week the 1st XV return to league action, away to league leaders Instonians. The 2nd and 3rd XV are at home to Coleraine and Ards respectively.
