RUGBY REVIEW: Bonus-point win for Ballyclare at Omagh

Ballyclare completed a Qualifying 1 double over Omagh and collected a valuable bonus point with a 26-8 win that took them level on points with Clogher Valley.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Feb 2016, 07:30 BST
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The hosts dictated the pace of the game from the start and forged ahead within 10 minutes. When the Omagh pack was pushed off the ball inside their own 22, a ruck was formed, resulting in hooker Ross Scott crashing over for a score which Gareth Byers converted.

The visitors kept in touch with a penalty, but then conceded a second score. Byers then rounded off a fine move involving winger JJ Baird and Stuart Cusick. Byers crossed at the posts making the conversion a formality and the lead 14-3.

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Ryan Tweed then raced in for an unconverted score in the corner, but just before the turnaround Omagh cut the deficit to 19-8 when they attacked on the blindside of a scrum to score in the corner. Their conversion rebounded off the upright.

Ballyclare’s bonus point arrived early in the second session. Dave Clarke’s quickly-taken penalty caught the cover off-guard and he went in unopposed and when Byers added the extras Ballyclare were well ahead at 26-8.

It was an effective team performance that pleased Ballyclare coaches and fans alike, but with four fixtures to fulfil repeat performances will be required to clinch a top-four finish and qualification for the All-Ireland Junior Cup.

Saturday’s matches: Ards II v 1st XV; 2nd XV v Bangor II; Lisburn III v 3rd XV; Lurgan II v 4th.

Related topics:OmaghBallyclare