Ballyclare stroll to easy win
BALLYCLARE RFC prepared for the new season with a 76-0 romp against Banbridge II at The Cloughan.
Quite obviously it was a one sided contest, in which Willie Logan's men called the shots, and by half time it was all over bar the shouting with the visitors trailing 50-0, having conceded no fewer than eight touchdowns.
Recently recruited wing forward, Alan McGrugan, opened the scoring, and doubled his tally by crossing for the eighth, while in between centre Paul Morrow registered a hat-trick of tries. Ross Scott weighed in with a brace, while skipper Logan also got his name on the scorecard, and Gary Clotworthy took his tally into double figures with five conversions.
Winger Gary Weatherup took the honours in the second session during which he also recorded a hat-trick of scores, all of which were goaled by Clotworthy, who also crossed for an unconverted touchdown that made his personal contribution fifteen points.
In a strange set-up Banbridge II are included in Qualifying League Section 2 this season, but their opponents are not permitted to accumulate any points from their clashes, so for Ballyclare it was a massive win, but no return points-wise!
Ballyclare 1st XV: Stevie Morrow; Johnny Reid, Paul Morrow, Gary Clotworthy, Gary Weatherup; Ian Russell, Colin Morrow; Alan Boyd, Ross Scott, Gary Watters, Ian Heaney, Neil Purce, A McGrugan, C Coburn, W Logan (C).
Meanwhile, Coach Gareth Johnston was well pleased when the 2nd XV opened their Junior League Section 1 programme with a local derby win.
Carrick provided the opposition at The Cloughan where the home side won a closely contested game 10-3.
Winger Mark Weatherup and centre Trevor Clarke scored the home tries in the corner, from where James Jackson was unable to add the conversions, while the visitors' only reply was a penalty.
Graham McKinstry and Billy Wright were the pick of the pack, while fullback Jackson and centre Alan Irvine impressed in the back division.
The 4th XV completed the double over Carrick at Woodburn where Carrick 3rd XV were whitewashed 46-0.
The scorers were: Alan Carson, Harry Gaston, Robert Boyd, Cavan Watson, Stuart Barnett and Gareth Smith, while John Wasson kicked sixteen points.
The Under 19s made it a clean sweep of victories when they triumphed 12-9 against Carrick at The Cloughan.
Chris Dawn scored Ballyclare's first try, which Stephen Beasant converted, but the visitors turned round leading 9-7 having slotted over three penalties.
The only score of the second session was an Adam Dyer unconverted touchdown that gave his side a narrow win.
Prominent for the winners were scrum-half Beasant, number eight Dawn and lock John Gillen.
This weekend's fixtures: 1st XV v Omagh at The Cloughan where there will be the usual pre-match reception and refreshments; 4th XV v Bangor III, home.
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Weather for Newtownabbey
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 5 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: South
