Ballyclare 1st xv started 2011 in the same way they finished 2010 before the frost and snow halted progress and maintained their good run recording the sixth consecutive victory with a 24-3 win in Qualifying2 away to University of Ulster (Coleraine). The Clare had made four changes bringing in Coburn (prop),Heaney(lock),Baird (wing) and Paul Morrow (full-back).They played into a very strong wind in the first half but the pack took an early control and fly-half Russell chipped ahead and followed up to get the opening try which was converted by Clotworthy to go 7-0 up. The Students hit back with a penalty and began to make more ground but found the Clare back row of McGrugan,Logan and Moore exerting a lot of pressure. Then following another powerful surge by the visitors pack Logan drove over near the corner to get an unconverted try to go 12-3 ahead. Though they were under pressure at times it was the Clare lads who remained 12-3 in front at the interval. U.U.C. had one of their second row forwards sin binned prior to the break.
Playing with the wind in the second half the White Hare men were well in control and soon increased the lead when hooker Wylie intercepted a home pass to go over for a try converted by Clotworthy. The visitors did have acouple of chances which were not taken but after an hour Logan picked up at the back iof a scrum and went in at the corner to get his second try which put the Clare 24-3 in front. U.U.C.now lost their hooker with an injury but it was the East Antrim men who dominated the second half as Nigel Moore was man of the match pushed strongly by skipper Willie Logan.
Results B/Clare U.19 0 Malone U.19 22 (play off); Carrick 2nds 23 B/Clare 2nds 11; B/Clare 3rds 6 Academy 2nds 13; B/Clare 4ths 34 Lisburn 4ths 12
Pictures from Ballyclare III XV & IV XV to follow
