1st XV move onto 6

Monday, 05 October 2009 10:46

1ST xv MOVE ON 6 POINTS!

Academy 14 – Ballyclare 5

The good start to the year continues – a great win last week at Belmont, and next up another key game v’s Ballyclare. Changes from last week? Coop’s McCarthy failed again during warm up, Ricky P was elsewhere, and “Frank” was nursing a dead leg – meaning Gav kept #15, Mood made a welcome, cheerful return, and Phil Ross slotted into the back row. The real Mal returned complete with rubber gloves. Howling gales……hearty lunches all round – game on.

We played with the gale in the first half and were on the offensive from the start and Ballyclare were scrambling. We fluffed a couple of good chances on or near the try line after some desperate defence from B’clare, plus Yer man watching the latest Easyjet flight come in as we scored – “Held Up!”. Finally, on 9mins, we drove at Ballyclare forcing a poor hoofed clearance which was fielded by Jedens who run hard back at B’clare, fed the Hubster who jinked, darted and fed Norm out wide on the left, to scream in to open our account under the posts. Norm converted: 7 – 0.

We had the bulk of the possession and territory for the rest of the half, but were a bit wasteful in our execution, as numerous moves broke down though fumbles in the tackle, spilt passes, and the odd poor decision in attack. Scrums were spot on as was the LO (excellent given the wicked conditions!) Ballyclare stuck at it in defence and must have been pleased to close the ½ only 7 points down. The real news in the half was Robbie H leaving the pitch on  37mins with a bad shoulder knock – almost a year on from the last one……..Half Time 7 – 0.

We were up against it in the second half – 14 men into a howling gale and a Ballyclare team that started to believe it was their day. Ballyclare battered us through a narrow, driving game which we met manfully in defence. We added to our problems by not capitalizing on our chances to breakout, and, at times tried flicks and pops out of tackles, when “Route 1” was all that was needed. However, Ballyclare didn’t look like scoring despite their territory and possession – and if we could just execute once……..?

On 70mins we nearly did it – we swept B’clare out of our half, and drove deep into their half. We finally got behind their defence and when it looked that 1 quick ruck would do it, their #14 killed the ball and got a yellow. Now we were in business….the Hubster was cooking….more Ferris than Blanco today but it’s what was required. On 75mins we drove, rolled and inter-passed our way into their 22, finally releasing Hubby to nip in, Norm converted: 14 – 0.

Was that it? No!  Ballyclare banged the ball into our 22 and charged head on at us – our resolve slipped for a moment and they got in out wide on our left, 76mins: 14 – 5. Yer man this time saw something which didn’t happen – fab!!
Anyway, that was too little too late from Ballyclare as we eased out the last few mins to take points 5 and 6 for the season.

Great heart and determination on show – all deserve great credit…..but Monday we’ve got Donaghadee on our minds.

MAN OF THE MATCH: ANDREW KIRKPATRICK

The Management……