Coleraine’s ‘Young Guns’ see off Ballyclare teams

Coleraine Youth Section continues to record impressive wins with the turn of visitors Ballyclare to leave the Avenue with nothing in the bag but their dirty kit.
Mr. Baxter from Crown Paints Coleraine who sponsor the kit of Coleraine U-13 rugby team. Included is coach Gavin Darragh.Mr. Baxter from Crown Paints Coleraine who sponsor the kit of Coleraine U-13 rugby team. Included is coach Gavin Darragh.
Mr. Baxter from Crown Paints Coleraine who sponsor the kit of Coleraine U-13 rugby team. Included is coach Gavin Darragh.

All eyes on the unknown quantity of Monaghan who make their first visit to Coleraine this Saturday.

The Under-13s made it three in a row wins on yet another dry day which seemed to suit the Coleraine boys. The first half tussle looked like it would end honours even until Coleraine opened the scoring and the half finished two trys to one in favour of the hosts.

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Coleraine took to the field for the second half looking like an inspired team and from the start took the game to Ballyclare as if they were impatient to score. Reports from the touch line described the home side as rampant as they finished their visitors off with tries from McAleese, Stirling, Brandon McCorriston, King and Callum Boorman.

After their well deserved draw last week the U15s took another step forward with a 19-5 victory over a well drilled Ballyclare side. Coleraine appeared to be gaining the upper hand in the aggression stakes but it was Ballyclare who broke the try the line against the run of play, failing to convert.

Coleraine responded positively with an impressive 40 m run from centre Adam Hutton through a startled Ballyclare defence to even the scores beneath the posts, allowing scrum half John Allen to easily convert. A second try (unconverted) came from a trade mark charging run from Josh Devenney making it 12-5 at the break.

With much of the second half played between the 10 metre lines it took a special piece of enterprise to produce the home side’s third try. Adam Hutton saw a gap behind the defensive line, chipping a low ball through for second centre Andrew Greer to control with his foot before scoring between the posts.  

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It was a well fought game of rugby by both teams was enjoyed by vocal supporters from both clubs 

Coleraine Under-17s continued their recent scintillating form with an eight try demolition of Ballyclare. The home side served up a free flowing display of running rugby to the delight of the large home support.

Coleraine ended a nervy opening to find form when full back Patrick Kane received a pass on the opposition 22, to side step the covering defender and finish well at the corner. A second try followed quickly after with Coleraine’s impressive winger James Patton rounding off a good handling move to score the first of his two tries after 15 minutes.

Coleraine simply controlled the half by adding three more tries before the break from wing forward Alistair Jinx, second row Reece Ramage and a superb solo effort from the gifted out half Rory Strang. Ballyclare managed two scores before the end of the half to give them a glimmer of hope.

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The second half followed the same pattern and the home side added three more scores, the pick of which was a brilliant team try, involving eight players, finished off by number 8 Jordan Neely. The remaining scores of the second half came from centre James Breslin and winger James Patton. One drawback, might be the high penalty count which coaches McKnight and Smith warned would be punished by better sides.

In the forwards hooker Ruairi Sweeney continued his fine form with second row Ramage continuing to impress along with the powerful 8 Neely. Scrum half Cameron Fulton was also superb throughout. Other stand-out performances came from the centre paring of Dan Henderson(C)and Breslin while Kane continues to fit well into his new role at full back.

This side is well worth watching and rugby fans would be well advised to attend their next outing this coming Saturday when Coleraine’s Youth Section play hosts to Monaghan in the league.

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