Ballyclare RFC v Cooke RFC 4th October 2014 Report and Images
Qualifying 1 league action returned to the Cloughan this week, Cooke RFC were the visitors. The match was sponsored by Newtownabbey Borough Council. Ballyclare RFC President Ken Wylie welcomed to a well-attended pre match lunch, Mayor, Alderman Thomas Hogg, Deputy Mayor, Alderman Pat McCudden and Councillor Jim Bingham. A cheque from proceeds of a function ran by Ballyclare RFC was presented to Alderman Hogg for his nominated charity the Northern Ireland Hospice. The match ball was sponsored by Stephen McCann.
The match provided an entertaining but low scoring first half. Two Gareth Byers penalties to one reply by Cooke left the half time score 6-3. Ballyclare had played the better rugby but were unable to get a breakthrough some resilient Cooke defending. Soon after the turn around Byers added another penalty to increase the scoreboard in Ballyclare’s favour.
The first try of the match came fifteen minutes into the second half. Niall Lawther broke the Cooke defensive line in midfield and set off on a race for the line. He passed to supporting right wing Michael Kirk who kicked ahead and chased to touch down in the corner. A good conversion by Byers increased the Ballyclare lead to 16-3. Ballyclare were in control looking to increase their tally.
At a scrum close to the Cooke line, number 8, Willie Logan picked up at the base and drove for the line. He offloaded to full back Byers who hit the line at pace and scored close to the posts. Byers converted his own try to bring the score to 26-3. A breakaway try by Cooke was converted as the last play of the game. Ballyclare came out comfortable winners 26-10. Cooke return to Ballyclare in two weeks after the two teams were drawn together in next round of Junior Cup.
A great team performance with fine displays from forwards Al Boyd and Willie Logan. Gareth Byers, with 21 points, was the pick of the backs. The man of the match, sponsored by Vice President Alistair Lindsay, was awarded to Willie Logan, who put in another energetic performance.
Elsewhere the second XV lost heavily to the talented Ballynahinch 3rd XV and the Ballyclare 3rd XV missed out in an entertaining 47-32 defeat, to City Of Derry 3’s. The youth section started their league campaign with fine wins against Omagh for U14 and U16 sides.
Ballyclare RFC 1st XV (15-9) Gareth Byers, James Greer, Stephen Beasant, David Clarke, Michael Kirk, Niall Lawther, Colin Morrow (1-8) David Lawther, Andrew Wylie, Al Boyd, Graham McKinstry, Robert Boyd, David Chambers, Gary Weatherup, Willie Logan. Replacements: Jordan Brownlee and Jordan McKinstry. for images :- http://glenophoto.com/ballyclare-rfc-2/ballyclare-1415/ballyclare-1st/1781-2
