The unbeaten Ballyclare Under 19 side travelled to Carrick for a vital league game and took an early 5-0 lead with a try by top scorer Craig Wallace.
The lead was increased by a penalty from Chris Harvey and before the interval Lewis Campbell went in for an unconverted try to build up a useful 13-0 lead.
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Carrick started the second half strongly and began to win more ball only to be halted by a series of superb tackles from Jack Bowers. Unfortunately Wallace was yellow carded and Carrick eventually got a deserved converted to reduce the Clare lead.
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But great work up front by Jonny Potts and man of the match Clarke McCartney kept the Clare boys together and then a mid field break ended with Campbell racing over for a try to give the team an 18-7 lead which they held to the end.According to coach Robin Byers there were strong performances from Bowers and Mark Wright.
CLICK HERE for 39 picture slideshow of the game – enjoy!
The result means that the side cannot be caught in the league and a big appeal comes from coach Byers for support on Saturday when the team take on Randalstown at the Cloughan and a win captures the league section.
All credit to the Carrick U19 side who battled through out in a hard fought contest, with superb individual skills and a very good team spirit, we managed to get a clip of one of their scores and an interview with their coach. With a good number of spectators this was a thrilling game to watch, the Carick team can hold their head high and we look forward to catching up with them again in the season.
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Below the referee for the game gives his thoughts on refereeing at this level and adding in the intensity of a local derby
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