At a sun drenched Belmont, the Robinson Services sponsored Ballyclare 1st XV looked to continue their great start to their Qualifying 1 campaign against last seasons All Ireland Junior Cup qualifiers CIYMS. Coach Chris Campbell made a couple of changes from the previous game with Niall Lawther returning to the number 10 shirt and Gareth Byers starting at wing. Bobby Smith moved to his more familiar full back role, completing the reshuffle.
Within a couple of minutes of kicking off Ballyclare found themselves behind their posts a score down. From a lineout on the Ballyclare 22, CI moved the ball at pace out their back line and scored in the corner. Good kicking for position from Lawther put Ballyclare on the front foot. A gathered kick and searching run by fullback Smith ended with CI conceding a penalty which was slotted over by Smith to put Ballyclare’s first points on the board.
Ballyclare were cut open in midfield as the strong running CI backs made the most of some weak defending and crossed the line for their second score of the game. Soon after CI were penalised at a ruck on their own 10m line. Smith converted his second attempt at goal to bring Ballyclare back to within 6 points. Attacking at pace Niall Lawther broke the CI defence but was caught just short of the CI line. In the defending melee a CI forward was shown a yellow card for slowing down play illegally. Ballyclare put the resulting penalty into touch in the corner. Mistakes at the resulting catch and drive resulted in Clare conceding a penalty themselves, allowing CI to clear. An opportunity missed.
A third CI score came midway through the half, from a lineout close to the Ballyclare line, the powerful CI pack rumbled over. A straightforward conversion gave CI a 19-6 lead. Club Physio, Ryan Tweed was kept busy with running repairs to Al Boyd, cut to head, and Robert Smith, knee. Ballyclare centre Clarke was adjudged to have tackled dangerously and was given a 10min break from proceedings. CI kicked the resulting penalty to increase their tally by 3. Ballyclare continued to compete well but conceded a forth try before half time, when with Ballyclare too bunched in midfield, CI moved the ball wide and scored. The conversion was good and brought the halftime score to 29-6.
CI almost scored again at the beginning of the second half but their winger just strayed into touch attempting a touchdown in the corner. A penalty conceded by CI from the resulting lineout allowed Ballyclare to clear their line. Ballyclare played much better in the second half, starting to play their own attacking game. A break against play from a CI runner cut the Clare defence, running in unopposed to increase the scoreboard in CI’s favour.
A quickly taken penalty by outhalf Lawther caught the CI defence out. He tapped and broke right eluding the scrambling CI defenders, passed outside to the supporting Weatherup who, just short of the line offloaded to Willie Logan who crossed to score Ballyclare’s only try. Byers added the conversion to make score 36-13. CI scored a final converted try to end the contest 43-13 and inflicted one of the heaviest defeats Ballyclare had encountered in recent seasons. Ballyclare will return to training this week and attempt to get back to winning ways next Saturday when they are away to Armagh 2’s in Junior Cup. Next league action at the Cloughan, 4th October, when Cooke will be the opposition.
