Smith’s kicking helps Ballyclare edge to success over Omagh

Ballyclare RFC 1st XV edged to a 17-15 win at Omagh in Qualifying One on Saturday.

Omagh got a breakthrough from a penalty after 15 minutes after ‘Clare captain Gary Weatherup was adjudged to be offside.

Robert Smith restored parity when he stroked a penalty between the posts before Andrew Butlerset up Gary Clotworthy for an unconverted score.

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Omagh kicked two further penalties, awarded due to Ballyclare infringements at the breakdown in the last five minutes of the half and held a 9-8 lead at the break.

Omagh kicked another penalty early in the second session but Ballyclare replied soon after when an Omagh tackler was penalised for not rolling away and Smith’s trusty left boot added another three points to bring Ballyclare back to within a point.

Both teams missed penalties before Smith slotted one over to give Ballyclare a 14-12 lead.

As attacks ebbed and flowed, so did the score. Omagh kicked a long range three-pointer to recapture the lead, 15-14, but then had two players sin-binned.

Making full use of their numerical superiority Ballyclare snatched the win when Smith added his fourth penalty.

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