CLARE ADVANCE TO CUP QUARTER FINALS
Ballyclare 1st XV entertained Omagh on Saturday at the Cloughan in the second round of the Millar McCall Junior Cup with the knowledge that the Tyrone team will be one of the major opponents in the race for the Qualifying 2 league this season. The Clare`s 42-10 win in some ways did not do justice to the efforts of a strong Accies side that has a very useful front five but a tendancy to fringe too often at rucks cost them penalties and yellow cards at vital times.
But the Seconds who have had a good recent run were weakened for the game away to a strong C.I.Y.M.S. 2nds and lost 25-7 but the Fourths won 29-10 at home to U.U.C.2nds.
BALLYCLARE 42 OMAGH 10
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This Junior Cup tie was sponsored by Past Presidents of the Club and the Clare team included Gary Clotworthy at centre, Gareth Byers at full back,Jonny Reid on right wing and David Lawther at prop as the changes. In the first half Omagh had the advantage of a stiff breeze but it was Clotworthy who took play into the visitors 22 only for McKinstry to be penalised for holding on after the tackle Ward attempted the kick from close to 60 metres and went very close.But a kick ahead from Lawther had the visitors penalised and Byers made no mistake to put his team 3-0 up. Omagh countered with strong driving but Byers cleared well and Morrow also kicked deep but the home side were penalised at the ensuing ruck and Ward`s kick levelled the scores. Ballyclare attacked down the left through Greerand Lawthermade ground to force the visitors off side for Byers to slot over the penalty and regain the lead. However at times the Clare were losing ball on the ground at rucks as Omagh drove but it appeared that they were edging more than close to off side. Anyway their pack got into the home 22 and a flicked reverse pass brough a try that Ward converted to go 10-6 ahead.Almost immediately the Omagh number 8 was sin binned and Lawther broke to find Logan who put Weatherup over for a try converted by Byers to move 13-10 ahead. Omagh finished the half strongly with not a lot between the sides.
Ballyclare were struggling to take restarts cleanly but good work from Wylie led to a strong run from skipper Boyd and then the Tyrone pack had another man in the sin bin and were accordingly penalised for Byers to knock over the kick and go further ahead. After a powerful attacking run by Reid, logan went over for the try and Byers added the points to make it 23-10. Then a sensible deep kick with the wind by full back Byers almost had Greer away but Loughlin did manage to kick ahead and Byers followed up to score out wide as Ballyclare made good use of their pace and slick handling.
Omagh now pressed into the Clare 22 and asked questions of the home defence with reid seeming to break away only to be halted for a forward pass, Now into t he last quarter Logan and an Omagh forward were yellow carded but the Clare pack drove to the Omagh line and skipper Rob Boyd went in for a try that Byers converted to well clear on 35-10.Omagh still stuck to the task and were attacking when a superb wrap up by Morrow stole the ball and second row Boyd showed amazing pace to run fully 60 metres and score near the corner and Byers added the coup de gras with a conversion from close to touch. the 42-10 win seems emphatic but Omagh were well in this game at times and have to play the Clare in acouple of vital league encounters. The whole Clare pack did well and Byers slotted in well for the injured Smith while Clotworthy proved effective in attack and defence. In the last quarter Wardrop came on for Clotworthy.
Ballyclare -G,Byers;J.Reid,G.Clotworthy,N.Loughlin,J.Greer,N.lawther,C.Morrow; A.Boyd,A.Wylie,D.Lawther;G.McKinstry, R.Boyd (capt); G.Weatherup,W,Logan, J.McKinstry; subs A.Jones,A.Wardrop;
C.I.Y.M.S. 2nds 25 Ballyclare 2nds 7
The Seconds were weakened for this trip to Belmont to face a strong C.I. team whose big centres gave them a distinct advantage in mid field.They managed to get an early try but the Seconds didwell to hit back as Matthew Crothers drove over for a score that was converted by Stevenson. However the home team`s strength enabled them to score twice more and lead 20-7 at half time.
In the second half Ballyclare did well to tackle well and defend strongly and it was only in the closing minutes that the home team got in for a try which was not converted to win 25-7. For the Seconds there were strong performances from Hopper in the pack and Kirk who was playing out of position inthe backs.Hopefully Mark Holland will get his team back to winning ways this week-end to make up for hiccup on Saturday.
Ballyclare 4ths 29 U.U.C. 2nds 10
Mark Fox as skipper of the Fourths is getting some good results and this win over the Students was merited as the home team was quite strong onthe day.They were well served by Baillie in the centre and a powerful early run led to ascore for prop Tweed before U.U.C. hit back with a penalty.. But a strong period from the pack led to a try from Gawn to give the Clare a 10-3 lead at half time.
Early in the second period Turner went in for a try as the home team got on top. Further strong rucking brought a score to Logan and Wasson converted to go 22-3 ahead. Near the end the packmagain made ground and McCartney got the last try with Wasson adding the points . The Students did not give up and were rewarded with a late converted try but this was a well deserved home win from a strong 4th Xv in which Baillie, Watson and Wasson did well in the backs plus McCartney,Gawn and the veteran Crawford in the pack.
YOUTH RUGBY
The three Clare youth teams were at home to Monaghan and after good results awayto City of Derry were expected to keep up the run. However it was only the Under 17s who managed to get awin -17-8 with tries from Thomas McGookin who also kicked a conversion, Ryan Lorimer and Alex Haggan. The Under 13 XV lost 61-31 and the Under 15 Xv went down 52-0.
SATURDAYS FIXTURES
The 1st Xv now have three league games and must keep up the momentum. This Saturday they are again at home to Grosvenor F.P. There will be the usual pre match lunch and anyone wishing to attend should contact Gareth Johnston 07853710221. Again there is an appeal for strong support on the touchline -Grosvenor will pose a threat as they have an early season win over Omagh. 2nd Xv v Dungannon 3rds (away); 3rd XV v Ballymena 3rds (away); Youth teams v Donegal (away)
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