v’s Lisburn, A
The Maxol-sponsored Carrick 1st XV recovered well from last week's defeat by Bangor
to gain a convincing 31 points to 14 away League win over Lisburn on Saturday 15
September. Although the tendency to let the opposition dominate territory in the
second half emerged again, the difference on this occasion was that Carrick had a
somewhat bigger cushion at half-time and made their visits to their opponents' territory
in the second period count in terms of points . The visitors' pack laid the foundations
for their win, with the back row in particular getting through a lot of work. Captain,
Paul McIlrath, carried well and made a lot of ground for Carrick while John McDowell
, who vied with Darren Wady for "man of the match", did some great work on the floor
as well as having a storming game in the open, helping himself to two tries. In the
line-out, Terry McCracken and Andy Kincaid ensured a steady supply of quality ball,
including a couple of "steals" on the opposition throw while the front row provided
a steady platform in the scrum. Behind the pack, veteran Darren Wady had an outstanding
game, carving the Lisburn defence open on a number of occasions, setting up one try
and scoring another.
Carrick began the game brightly and the threat from Wady was evident as early as
the fourth minute when he broke through the home side's defence although, on this
occasion, the ball was eventually turned over. There was then a scare for the visitors
when turnover ball was fly-hacked through by Lisburn but knocked on just short of
the Carrick line. Carrick though opened the scoring after twelve minutes following
a phase of excellent play. They were awarded a penalty following good work by John
McDowell at the break-down. From the ensuing line-out ,the open-side flanker then
made thirty metres and, at the tackle, Carrick won another penalty which again was
put into touch; this time, they opted for a catch and drive and, when the ball was
released, Darren Wady beat three or four defenders to go over. The try was not converted.
Seven minutes later, John McDowell initiated and eventually finished Carrick's second
try-scoring move. Following a break by McDowell from the back of a line-out, the
move was carried on by his wing-forward partner Clive Rankin who made thirty metres
before switching back to McDowell who showed good strength in forcing his way over.
The try was not converted. Carrick continued to dominate territory and possession
but it was not until the thirty-seventh minute that they increased their lead. They
won a penalty following a good carry by McIlrath and quick-thinking scrum-half, Stephen
Meharg, tapped and raced over from the 22 before the Lisburn defence realised what
was happening. Karl Wilkinson put over the conversion to give Carrick a 17 points
to nil lead which they retained until the interval.
Carrick could not have had a better start to the second half, with two of their outstanding
performers combining to set up a score from the kick-off. They regained their own
drop-out from which the pack provided quick ball and Wady again split the Lisburn
defence, his run taking him to just short of the try line where John McDowell gathered
and forced his way over . Karl Wilkinson again converted. The home side then began
to assert themselves and, for much of the half, were to dominate territory and possession.
However, they found themselves up against a resolute Carrick defence and it was not
until the thirtieth minute of the half, and with Carrick temporarily down to thirteen
men, that they breached the visitors' defence to score following two tap penalties.
Their try was converted. Carrick, now restored to fourteen men, hit back two minutes
later when, following a line-out, McIlrath and McDowell made ground and prop David
McKeen showed a fine turn of speed in racing in from twenty metres out. Karl Wilkinson
again added the conversion points. With time running out, Lisburn got their final
consolation score when they broke through the Carrick defence and their left winger
to touched down near the posts. The try was converted. Carrick were not quite finished
though and, deep in injury time, following a strong run by a Kincaid, Wady appeared
to be on his way to another try but was pulled up for a forward pass. This proved
to be the last act of the game and Carrick finished deserved winners by 31 points
to 14.
Even allowing for the probably lower quality of the opposition, this was a much better
performance(than against Bangor) from a Carrick side still not quite at full strength.However,
they will need to be at their best for their visit to local rivals Larne on Saturday
22 September.
The Carrick team which faced Lisburn was:
P. Saberton; C. Jordan, W. Anderson, D. Wady, J. Sheriff; K. Wilkinson, S. Meharg;
D. McKeen, R. Higgins, P. Greenaway, T. McCracken, A. Kincaid, C. Rankin, J. McDowell,
P. McIlrath(Capt).
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