Greystones entertain the crowds at The Cloughan

BALLYCLARE'S Festival of rugby got off to as fine start at the weekend with the visit of All Ireland League club Greystones.

The southern visitors were greeted at The Cloughan by sunshine and a good crowd, and they responded with a display of flowing rugby that produced a 45-19 win.

Greystones have just been relegated to AIL 3, and they travelled north with a mixture of 1st XV and Junior League Division 1 players, while the locals fielded Under 19 XV and more experienced 4th XV players, but it was the visitors who dominated the first half at the end of which they led 22-0.

Ballyclare upped the pace in the second session and after Ross Stewart opened their account, further scores were added by John James Baird and Ross Hackney with John Wasson and Gareth Byers adding conversions.

The festival that is being staged in conjunction with other 60th anniversary celebrations continues throughout the week, ending with the massive mini rugby tournament on Saturday.

Meanwhile tonight (Wednesday) there will be a tasty local derby at The Cloughan between Ballyclare and Carrick 2nd XVs, on Thursday it's Ballyclare IV v Antrim, followed by the place-kicking contest on Friday with the Coulter Cup at stake.

Seconds: The 2nd XV eased their relegation fears with a 27-14 win in a basement battle against Bangor II.

Winger Ricky McKnight twice threatened the line before Gary Weatherup opened the scoring, when he followed up a nicely weighted kick by fly-half Collie Morrow.

Stuart Cusack and Gareth Byers were prominent in further attacks, but it was Morrow who got his name on the scorecard after having been put in by Willie Logan.

Dave Caldwell converted this one to give the 'Clare men a 12-0 lead at the break.

The lead was doubled with touchdowns by Byers and Jason Geerish, with Caldwell again adding a conversion, before Bangor replied with two converted scores.

Ballyclare had the final say when Caldwell slotted over a penalty after McKnight had been brought down by a high tackle.

Bangor, Clogher Valley and Ballyclare are all in danger of losing their Junior League Section 1 status, but apparently Ballyclare need only one point from their remaining three fixtures to be safe.

First XV: The seniors completed their Qualifying League Section 2 programme when they entertained leaders Academy, who romped to a 42-14 win that assured them of the title.

Academy stamped their authority early on the game by opening the scoring with a second minute try. Two others followed, and with Cooper adding two conversions and a penalty they led 22-0 at the turnaround.

The home side's best attacking efforts were by fly-half Ian Russell and centre Gary Clotworthy, while wing forward Alan McGrugan excelled in defence.

In the second session the champions continued to dictate, adding fifteen more points, with Ballyclare's reply being limited to scores by prop Johnny Birkmyre and Clotworthy, both being goaled by Russell.

Academy's win confirmed their Q1 status next season.

There was plenty of activity at youth level with the Under 15 XV advancing to the final of the Ulster U15 Plate, with a fine 15-0 win in Enniskillen where Peter Beasant and Billy Gillan (2) were the try scorers.

This win sets up a clash in the final against Dromore this weekend, and will be the climax to an excellent season under skipper Timmy Wallace, having won ten of their twelve competitive fixtures.

The Under 19s were beaten 22-11 in the quarter-final of the Ulster U19 Cup in which Craig Wallace scored a try, with skipper Chris Gillan contributing a penalty and a dropped goal.

The Under 17s were beaten 33-12 by Banbridge in the Ulster U17 Plate.

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