Ballyclare sides lose out to Ballynahinch

BALLYNAHINCH completed the double over Ballyclare on Saturday when they won both top matches.

Without skipper Mo Finlay, a much changed Ballyclare senior side lost 47-12 to the ‘Hinch 2nd XV, and despite having home advantage at The Cloughan, Ballyclare’s 2nd XV went down 38-9 to ‘Hinch III.

The result of the senior fixture was of little consequence since it was in the Conference League, not the Qualifying League.

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With the wind in their backs Ballyclare did very well in the first half, and turned round all square at 12-12 against a strong home side that included four 1st XV forwards who were returning from injury.

At one point the visitors were 7-5 ahead when fly-half Niall Lawther made space for centre Stuart Cusack to cross for a score that was goaled by Gareth Byers, after the home side had opened with an unconverted score.

Poor tackling allowed the hosts to regain the lead with a converted try, but just before the turnaround Robert Boyd paved the way for Chris Coburn to level the scores with a try that Byers was unable to improve upon.

When wing-forward Coburn retired injured early in the second session, Ballynahinch made full use of their numerical advantage to run in five unanswered touchdowns for a comprehensive win.

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Ballyclare coach Bob Young is hoping he will be able to field a full strength team on Saturday for the visit of Grosvenor to fulfil a Qualifying League Section 2 fixture. One player he will be without is skipper Mo Finlay.

Grosvenor have lost just once to date, and Saturday’s victory against Bangor should serve as a warning.

Enniskillen are in pole position with Bangor and Ballyclare joint-second just ahead of Grosvenor, so a keen tussle is in prospect.

The 2nd XV fared little better when they lost the Junior League Section 1 clash with Ballynahinch III in Ballyclare.

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Three Robert Smith penalties gave the home side a 9-5 lead at the break, but with the ‘Hinch pack dominating proceedings in the second session, they ran in four more scores without reply to finish 38-9 winners.

Best for Ballyclare were Craig McCartney, wing-forward, Michael Crothers, while lock-forward Colin McGookin impressed at scrum-half, after being called up from the Under-19s.

The 4th XV lifted the gloom at The Cloughan when they returned a 50-13 win against Monaghan II in Junior League Section 6.

The try scorers were: Trevor Clarke (2), Chris Gawn (2), Darren Montgomery, Bob Wasson, Jordan Brownlee and R. Smith, while John Wasson kicked five conversions.

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Youth team results against Coleraine: U13s won 31-7; U15s won 24-17; U17s lost 49-10, while the U19s lost 45-25 to Ards.

This weekend’s fixtures: 1st XV v Grosvenor, home; 2nd XV v Clogher Valley II, away; 3rd XV v Grosvenor III, away; 4th XV v CIYMS IV, home.

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