CLARE OVERPOWER MALONE
Following the 36-20 win away to Armagh 2s a week ago in the Qual 2 Conference league ,Ballyclare last Friday night under the Cloughan lights took on a youthful Malone 2s team in the same competition. Malone lost a flank forward after 15 minutes and were put under massive pressure from the league leaders. On only 2 minutes a typical mazy run from Nial Lawther gave him the opening try goaled by Morrow and four minutes later a move started by J.McKinstry gave Crawford the chance to get a second try with Morrow converting to lead 14-0 Next a deep kick by Lawther led to skipper Rab Boyd surging over as Morrow again converted to increase the lead.The Clare continued to move the ball at pace and winger Beattie raced over at the corner to make it 26-0.The visitors were always under pressure as Weatherup scored and Morrow kicked the conversion before Beattie broke clear from his own half to get a solo try with Morrow as usual adding the points.Just before the break skipper Boyd went in for his second try and Morrow converted to leave it 47-0.
Early in the second half prop Dave Lawther got in for a score after a serious looking ankle injury to Collie Morrow and to their credit Malone hit back with a converted score to make it 52-7.However wing Beattie again showed his pace as he raced in for his hat trick and then from a scrum J.McKinstry powered over for ascore this time converted by Byers who later made a great 40 metre run that deserved a try but R.Boyd was just held up. The final Clare try came from G.McKinstry to make it 69-7 as referee John Adams who had a fine match, blew up a few minutes early.Ballyclare always had too much pace and experience for a game but young Malone team who to their credit kept trying despite being outgunned for long periods. This saturday Ballyclare will take on another 2nd Xv when they go to Queens Seconds.
