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Est 1865

.Youth Report, 18-12-09

Christmas Cracker

 

Carrick U13         41 - 27        Ballynahinch U13

 

   If the International Rugby Board were worried about the game being boring and full of boring kicking displays and negative play they should give themselves a bit of a Christmas cheer-up and come and watch these two teams play every week.

    Both sides, as the score line suggests, laid on a festive feast of try scoring and at times breath taking rugby to delight the healthy crowd of parents and spectators.

    At the kick off a determined Carrick side launched into the attack and pressurised the Ballynahinch line for long periods but a sense of déjà vu and gloom descended on the Carrick support, when just as in the away game in the early in the season’ Hinch twice broke from their own line to run the length of the pitch and score wide out. Both tries unconverted to leave Carrick trailing by 10.

     If the support looked worried, the team were determined to strike back with some great interplay between Jake Gardiner , Rory Magill and David Stewart Carrick crashed over in the corner.

Shortly after the re-start out half Sam Wallace cleared long only to see ‘Hinch opposite number Joseph bang over a drop goal the likes of which  any international would have been proud.

    Undaunted, back came the men in red once more and with great ball skills  and “ keep ball tactics”  Jordan Robinson bullied his way over to put Carrick 15-13 ahead.

     Once again Carrick drove deep into opposition territory as Conor Cambridge. Evan  Sloan, Jake Porter and a dazzling run or two from Sam Wallace saw Jake Porter sail through to score and make it 20 -13 to Carrick at half time.

     

     For the third time in the game and again from great play from outhalf Joseph, ‘Hinch struck back with a  length of the pitch breakaway 20 points all! What a game!

     Straight from the re-start Carrick troops camped on the opposition line and a blindside break by birthday boy Shay McCord  eventually led to Robinson score his second of the game to put Carrick back in the lead.

     A wonderful solo effort by the talented Wallace put the locals almost out of sight and when Porter barged through for his second of the morning it looked all over.

    Credit to Ballynahinch they scored another almost unbelievable long range try following a top penalty.

   At the final whistle the score was 41-27. What a marvellous game by both sides. Carrick for their ability to play the rugby that delights the crowd and credit to Ballynahinch for their stubborn defence. Well Done both sets of boys for a great show! Merry Christmas I.R.B. you can come and watch this quality any week at Carrickfergus.

 

 

Carrick U15s Remain Unbeaten At Home in 2009

 

Carrickfergus U15 XV  - 17 Ballynahinch U15 XV  - 17

 

Carrickfergus  RFC U15 XV played their last competitive home game  of 2009 against Premier League rivals Ballynahinch on a cold but otherwise excellent morning for rugby on Saturday last

 

Although ending up all square it brought to a conclusion a dreamlike entry to the Premier League stage for this calendar year.

 

In recent seasons fixtures against the top notch sides would have been looked upon as a bridge too far but such is the development and progress of this young group of players that anything other than a first rate performance is looked upon as a missed opportunity.

 

Both sides started nervously but Carrick took the initiative after the initial sparring and settled better to the task.

A rejuvenated and much more organised Hinch team held out strongly and had obviously built their game plan on a strong defensive effort.

 

A poor clearance and strong run back by Carrick worked the broken field possession to the left allowing Darren Robinson to go on the outside  and run in for the opening try Marcus Jones provided the conversion and Carrick were 7-0 up but far from convincing.

 

Within 10 minutes Hinch hit back when their  centre whose precocious talents were matched only by his choice language eluded three tackles to cross for a converted try.

 

A strong challenge by Carrick had Jordan Besant crossing the Hinch try line only for the score to be disallowed. Carrick  continued to press hard and strong  runs by Iain Mc Menimen  and Bradley Young were held out.

 

Half time came and went with the score tied.

 

Carrick drew first blood in the second half with forwards and backs combining to bring play into the opposition 22.Some copybook pick and go play by the home pack set up Bradley Young to bulldoze through three defenders from 10 metres for a try.

 

Although now looking as if they had a grip on the game Carrick minds began to wander and let slip the chance to drive on to victory.

 

Shoddy work on the left allowed Hinch to score from a quick tap and go and again the scores were tied.

 

Not to be outdone Carrick went on the offensive again and although denied a Lewis Stockman chase and touchdown Jordan Besant ran strongly  for a try that this time counted.

Carrick could and should have shut up shop at this stage but with the game dying a less than decisive attack on the left by Hinch saw them first gifted possession by a needless knock-on and then position  by a reckless tackle.

 

The ensuing lineout allowed Hinch to drive for the corner where the attacking team was given the benefit of the doubt and a try awarded.

 

With the conversion failing the whistle was blown with both teams at 17 all.

 

U15s training will take place on 23rd December at 7pm sharp with a local derby fixture planned for 30th December against Carrickfergus Grammar Medallion XV

 

Scorers. D Robinson-T B Young-T J Beasant-T M Jones-Con

 

 

Impressive U17s Down ‘Hinch at Woodlawn

 

Carrickfergus under 17,s side has had a tremendous run of results up to Christmas, the thirty plus squad are improving every week. The side have had wins against the highly rated City of Derry,,,Harlequins and Ophir , however the side were awaiting the league leaders Ballynahinch at Carrick.

A bench mark would be set by the under 17,s against one of the leading youth sides in Ulster, having been comprehensively beaten at Ballynahinch early season this was an opportunity for the the side to gage how far they had improved over the last two months.

 

The match was played on a bitterly cold morning however from kick off the Carrick side set out their stall with a fierce battle up front. The Carrick back row of Mark Ferris, Stephen McAllister and Nathan Wilson proved to be out standing again. Their first up tackling and work on the ground stopping Hinch in their tracks . Both teams seemed content to keep the ball in the packs resulting in a fascinating battle of wills and determination with neither side giving an inch. Carrick putting pressure on in the Ballynahinch half were rewarded with two penalties both being converted to give Carrick a deserved 6-0 half time lead.

The second half saw Ballynahich upping the pace with wave after wave of attacks testing Carricks defencive line to its limits. A converted penalty and converted try saw Ballynahinch go into the lead 10-6 with 10 minutes on the clock.

Previously Carrick would have struggled to contain such a strong side however renewed self confidence saw centre Marcus Brush driven over to score a devastating try for Carrick. With only minutes to go and the score Carrick 11 Ballynahinch 10 the Carrick supporters and coaches where in for a tense time. Ballynahinch battered Carricks line but just could not break down the determined defence. Final score Carrick 11 Ballynahinch 10.

 

A fantastic result . Man of the match Captain Johnny Murray.

 

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