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Sat 21 Oct 2023
1st XVBallyclare RFC 1st XV
38
68
Try Fest As Toon Go Down Fighting
Claire Diamond24 Oct 2023 - 11:03
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Match Report: Chris McIlmoyle
Saturday had near neighbours and league leaders Ballyclare visit Kilraughts Road to play JKC/Causeway Geotech Ballymoney 1st XV. With both sides having a huge support who were hoping to be entertained and they wouldn’t be disappointed; the home side on the wrong side of an amazing 68-38 scoreline with a total of 16 tries scored.
The away side started with intent and capitalised on the slightest error made by the Toon and raced into a 21-0 lead within 15 minutes before the Toon got on the scoreboard after Matthew Pollock opened the home side’s account after some strong attacking by the pack. Ballyclare hit back straight away to stretch the lead to 28-5. Ballymoney came straight back up the pitch and following a quick tap by Matthew Pollock, Jack Dowey crashed over. A third try by Ballymoney after Clare were issued a yellow card took the score to 28-17 but just on half time Ballyclare scored again, leaving the half time score 35-17.
The second half led to more tries as the games continued to flow and whilst it was a great game for the supporter, the coaching staff from both sides would be concerned regarding the amount of tries conceded; with the Toon scoring six tries, at least a bonus point was awarded. In probably the most open game ever at Kilraughts Road, the final score was in favour of the visitors 68-38, with a total of 16 tries scored.
“We knew we had to be at our best today as Ballyclare are a top side but unfortunately we were chasing the game from early on as Ballyclare capitalised on every mistake we made. Our boys came back and worked their socks off, giving everything they had in a very open game with only five or six scrums the whole day. It was important to secure a bonus point, and to score six tries, and fight to the death, tells us a lot about the character of the boys in the team with everyone giving their all. We have another huge test next week as we travel to Dromore but we will work this week at training to right the wrongs from Saturday, as we continue to grow in this league.”
Saturday had near neighbours and league leaders Ballyclare visit Kilraughts Road to play JKC/Causeway Geotech Ballymoney 1st XV. With both sides having a huge support who were hoping to be entertained and they wouldn’t be disappointed; the home side on the wrong side of an amazing 68-38 scoreline with a total of 16 tries scored.
The away side started with intent and capitalised on the slightest error made by the Toon and raced into a 21-0 lead within 15 minutes before the Toon got on the scoreboard after Matthew Pollock opened the home side’s account after some strong attacking by the pack. Ballyclare hit back straight away to stretch the lead to 28-5. Ballymoney came straight back up the pitch and following a quick tap by Matthew Pollock, Jack Dowey crashed over. A third try by Ballymoney after Clare were issued a yellow card took the score to 28-17 but just on half time Ballyclare scored again, leaving the half time score 35-17.
The second half led to more tries as the games continued to flow and whilst it was a great game for the supporter, the coaching staff from both sides would be concerned regarding the amount of tries conceded; with the Toon scoring six tries, at least a bonus point was awarded. In probably the most open game ever at Kilraughts Road, the final score was in favour of the visitors 68-38, with a total of 16 tries scored.
“We knew we had to be at our best today as Ballyclare are a top side but unfortunately we were chasing the game from early on as Ballyclare capitalised on every mistake we made. Our boys came back and worked their socks off, giving everything they had in a very open game with only five or six scrums the whole day. It was important to secure a bonus point, and to score six tries, and fight to the death, tells us a lot about the character of the boys in the team with everyone giving their all. We have another huge test next week as we travel to Dromore but we will work this week at training to right the wrongs from Saturday, as we continue to grow in this league.”
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