Battling Carrick seconds claim hard-fought win over Coleraine

CARRICK’S second fifteen saw off Coleraine II by 11 points to six to claim a hard-fought win at Woodlawn.

In a tough match, Carrick's defence kept the visitors at bay for most of the game. Despite spending much of the second half in Carrick territory, Coleraine rarely looked likely to get across the line. The Carrick scrum was under pressure from the bigger Coleraine pack throughout the game but the line-out functioned well, with Terry McCracken combining with Chris Ferris and Chris Patterson to give a good service.

The half-backs, Glen Picken and Johnny Sheriff, kicked intelligently and generally controlled the game well. With the team called upon to make a massive defensive effort, particularly in the second half, it was the midfield which was in the firing line and some great tackling from Daryll Crothers won him the man of the match award.

Coleraine started very strongly and breached the Carrick defence almost right away. Fortunately for the home side, they could not capitalise and, somewhat against the early run of play, it was Carrick who took the lead after three minutes.

Right winger Ian Turner caught a poor kick from the Coleraine out-half and ran in from half-way, beating two defenders on the way to touching down in the corner.

Johnny Sheriff was unable to convert but, three minutes later, he put Carrick eight points up with an excellent penalty kick from the visitors' 10-metre line.

In a game in which neither side could get on top, Coleraine replied with a penalty after twenty minutes and got to within two points with another after twenty-seven minutes. On thirty-two minutes, Johnny Sheriff put over another penalty from the Coleraine 10-metre line to give Carrick the lead by 11 points to 6.

This remained the score until half time and, indeed, until the end of the match. Coleraine dominated territory in the second half but, thanks to some aggressive tackling and good work at the break-down by Carrick, they found it difficult to retain the ball for long enough to mount a serious challenge to the home side's line.

Carrick II: M. Gilmore; I. Turner, D. Crothers, W. Anderson, B. Alexander; J. Sheriff, G. Picken; C. Blair, G. McKeown, D. McKeen, T. McCracken, C. Ferris, C. Patterson, W.Johnston, A. Haire.

In midweek, Carrick fifths played out a thrilling game against the previously unbeaten Grosvenor IV, winning by 30 points to 29 with the last kick of the game.

The tries came from Neal Kennedy, Graham McConville, Craig Clarke, Danny Thomas and Ross Hunter. Alan Waide kicked a conversion and the all-important winning penalty. Man of the match went to Kennedy.

The under 19s lost away to Ballyclare by 11 points to six in their first league outing. Reece Hamilton kicked the two penalties.

Carrick’s thirds achieved their fourth win in a row, beating Newry II away by 12 points to 6. The tries came from Kurtis Gilmore and Robbie Williams who was also named man of the match. Ricky Moore converted one of the tries.

The fifths, buoyed by their midweek success, hammered Ophir III by 68 points to nil on Saturday. The try scorers were Gareth McClintock (two), Robert Ford (two), Craig Clarke (two), Chris Hagan, Gareth Clarke, Ross Hunter and Stephen Martin (two). martin also kicked nine conversions and was awarded man of the match.

The Minis hosted BHSFP, winning in all age groups apart from one.

On Sunday the Carrick Ladies travelled to Cill Dara, losing by 49 points to nil.

Fixtures for Saturday 23 October are:

1st XV vs CIYMS, League, away

2nd XV vs Ballynahinch III, League, home

3rd XV vs Enniskillen III, League, away

4th XV vs Malone V, League, away

5th XV vs Cooke IV, League, home

Under 19s vs Rainey, away

Youths vs City of Derry, League, home

Minis home to Instonians