BALLYCLARE CRUSH LEAGUE WINNERS
The long awaited Qualifying 2 League clash between the pair of front runners Bangor and Ballyclare attracted a good crowd to the Cloughan on Saturday . The match was sponsored by Danske Bank who were represented at the pre match lunch by ex Clare players Richard Caldwell and Graham Lapsley.This was Bangor`s last game and having had big bonus points wins the previous week over Larne and Grosvenor they had wrapped up the title so sadly the game was not the hoped for league decider -the Clare had earlier in the season failed to collect bonus points in local derbies against Larne and Carrick and if they were to get bonus point wins from the last two games still to be played would have tied with Bangor -such was the closeness of the struggle all season between the two clubs. The Clare were missing key fly half Nial Lawther who sustained a broken thumb in the Towns Cup final replaced by Jack Irvine and then in the pre match warm up hooker and skipper Mo Finlay broke down so Ian Holmes came in for him. CLICK HERE for the SHOTSS courtesy of professional photographer David Irvine Gleno Photo
The game was played in a strengthening wind which partly favoured Ballyclare in the first half and inside four minutes Bangor were penalised on half way and Smith`s kick just drifted wide.Bangor managed to get back to half way but Irvine was able to clearto the 22 and Morrow made ground from the lineout only for the home team to be penalised for not releasing. The visitors came into the game as their back row drove forward only to be halted by a G.Weatherup tackle. The sharper Clare backs now moved the ball well from half way culminating with a well deserved try from Clarke which was converted by Smith. At this stage Bangor had a prop carded and to their credit lifted their game forcing Smith to clear for the Clare.Further Bangor pressure forced another vital tackle from the busy Weatherup who wa sinjured but carried on.Then the visitors lost second row Fred Black with a facial injury and were also penalised on half way. This time Smith was on target with the penalty to take his team into a 10-0 lead.Ballyclare now tried to force the pace but Bangor still posed a threat especially after an error from M.Weatherup but Morrow `s tackle prevented a possible score.The home team hit back with a strong run by Logan and G.Weatherup to find the supporting Smith who went in for the try that he also converted for a sudstantial 17-0 lead.The Clare now had their tails up and were dominating with great work in the lineouts from McKinstry,Boyd and Rainey. Cusack made a powerful break from midfield and McKinstry was up in support to put Holmes over for the third try out wide which was not converted so it was 22-0 at the interval.
At this stage there seemed no way back for Bangor add as their President Lowry Cunningham remarked “We have been down here on four ocassions at this ground and failed to get a win”.The Clare pack restarted with real desire and soon were pressing at the Bangor line but their out half did well to clear.Morrow then lost possession but another Weatherup tackle saved the situation and Smith was able to put in a deep kick to force the Co.Down side to retreat.They did have the help from the rising wind and soon reached the home 22. However at this stage play became bogged down in midfield with neither team managing to dominate.Eventually R.Boyd did manage to drive clear but lacked support and the visitors were able to force a penalty from which they broke through for a try out wide missing the conversion to reduce the arrears to 22-5. Their out half was now making good use of the wind to push his pack forward despite being a man down but Smith put in a fine relieving kick to half way to give the home team some respite. Morrow then kicked up to the Bangor 22 and Logan had a strong run to allow his team to regain the initiative but poor handling in the cold and windy conditions stopped the move. Bangor`s scrum half broke to the opposite 22 only to be halted by Boyd. With time runni ng out a penalty to Clare was kicked to the corner by Smith and another well won lineout set up a final attack and McKinstry was on hand to surge clear from 20metres for the fourth and bonus point try which Smith duly converted to leave the score at 29-5 -a well deserved win by the much better team on the day.For Ballyclare everyone played well and credit must go to Irvine and Holmes who came in while up front Logan,Weatherup, McKinstry and R.Boyd all stood out . Behind the scrum Cusack,Clarke ,Smith and Loughlin were always looking for openings but the win was a team effort and must have pleased coach Bob Young`
Ballyclare -R.Smith;M.Weatherup,S.Cusack,D.Clarke,N.Loughlin;J.Irvine,C.Morrow;A.Boyd,I.Holmes,R.Henderson;
R.Boyd,G.McKinstry
G.McKinstry;W.Logan,M.Rainey,G.Weatherup; Referee -Mark Hermin.
Fixtures -1st Xv v Omagh (away) on Saturday. On Monday night of this week the Fourths were to
play U.U.C,2nds for the league title in Junior 6. (Wed.) the Thirds are away to Ballymena 3rds if the latter can field a side in Junior 2.
