ON Saturday 20th November Ballyclare High School will hold a special ceremony to open the recently re-developed sports grounds at Rashee Road .The new sand based facility has given the school two quality rugby pitches and a cricket area along with parking and storage facilities. It is fitting that the premises will be known as Hollinger Park— named after Mr.Wilbert Hollinger who retired as Vice-Principal of the school in 2008. Over the many years teaching at Ballyclare Wilbert was involved in almost every school sport as well as many other activities. In his early years he heped out with schools rugby and also played for Ballyclare R.F.C. being part of the 3rd XV which was the first cup winning club team in the 69-70 season at Ravenhill (Fourth Division Championship). At school he organised the Scout Troop and initiated the Duke of Edinburgh scheme which is now so popular. Outside of school he was chairman of the Ballyclare Mayfair Committee and for many years has been on the committee of the Old Ballyclarians Association having been a past President. Despite his many administrative duties in school Wilbert always made time to be involved in other activities notably Orienteering, Cross-Country and Athletics. He was the prime mover in the development of the new synthetic hockey pitch at Foundry Lane and up to recently was the human quarry for the local pack of hounds in hunting ! He also helped with the sport of table tennis at the school and still today is a regular participant at Bantam Shows across the province.
The official opening of Hollinger Park will start at the School Canteen on Saturday morning with breakfast for the guests at 9-00 a.m. If the weather is inclement the naming ceremony will be carried out in the school. Following the breakfast everyone will go to the Rashee Road grounds for the rugby match between Ballyclare High 1st XV and Foyle and Londonderry College 1st XV. This will be a real test for Dan Soper`s boys who happen to be the only unbeaten team in Ulster Schools rugby—surely a Ballyclare High record. The Foyle College side also has been on a great run of wins and last week had a comprehensive victory over R.B.A.I.
BALLYCLARE HIGH MAINTAIN UNBEATEN RUN
Last Saturday Ballyclare High were at home to Grosvenor Grammar and managed to keep their excellent record with a 27-7 win. The City boys proved to be strong opponents but home out half Jonny Holmes put his side 3-0 up with an early penalty. The big Grosvenor pack were strong in the set pieces but mid-way through the first half Holmes increased the home lead from a second penalty. Close to half time the Clare pack made ground and Paddy Hamill drove over for a try which was converted by Holmes for a 13-0 lead.
In the second half the home side kept up the pressure and Hamill managed to go in for his second try again converted to go further ahead. The pack was now getting more ball in the loose and hooker Marc Logan used pace and power to race in and get a try which was converted by the accurate boot of Holmes. To be fair the visitors never gave up and near the end Gibson got a consolation score converted by Irvine. This left the final score 27-7 to Ballyclare so the successful run which had its origin in New Zealand last summer is continuing.
