The Maxol-sponsored Carrick 1st XV overwhelmed Lodonderry YM in their League fixture
at Woodlawn on Saturday 20 February. Carrick were leading by 40 points to nil when
the match had to be stopped early in the second half because two of the visiting
players had to leave the field when their father was taken ill. The home side were
on top from the start, with the YM scrum under terrible pressure and Carrick winning
the contest at the break-down with some ease. This gave the backs an armchair ride
and they had the visitors' defence under continual pressure. There were excellent
performances across the Carrick team but the "men of the match" award went to centres
Jason Wady and Johnny McConnell for their work in Carrick's rush defence and for
providing mid-field targets for the dominant Carrick pack. Michael Patterson had
another great game at scrum-half, scoring one try and making another while Karl Wilkinson
kicked superbly, both out of hand and at goal. Aaron McKinney was involved in nearly
all of Carrick's attacking moves and wingers Karl Quinn and Willie Shaw turned up
all over the field.The pack provided the platform for Carrick's easy victory, with
the front row of David McKeen, Glen Baxter and Paul Greenaway simply irresistable
in the tight and loose. The back row of Andy McKeen, Matt Haddon and Neal Marsden
dominated the break-down while Andy Kincaid and Stuart Currie privided their usual
excellent service from the line-out. Kincaid and Andy McKeen were particularly prominent
as ball carriers.
In cold but sunny conditions, Carrick began well and pushed YM off the ball at the
first scrum. They quickly took control in all facets of the game and after ten minutes
got their first score. They again pushed YM off the ball at a scrum, Paul Greenaway
made ground and the ruck ball was picked up by David McKeen who broke through a tackle
to go over. Karl Wilkinson added the conversion points. Just three minutes later,
a crunching tackle by Johnny McConnell provided Carrick with turn-over ball and from
this scrum-half Michael Patterson made a break and, with a lovely side-step and a
change of direction, touched down under the posts. Karl Wilkinson again put over
the conversion.With the home side now completely on top, they went 21 nil up on twenty
minutes when turn-over ball and strong carries from Andy Kincaid and Matt Haddon
provided quick ball for Michael Patterson; the scrum-half split the YM defence and
provided a well timed pass to Aaron McKinney for the full-back to go round behind
the posts. Karl Wilkinson added the points. Then, a couple of minutes later, Johnny
McConnell breached the YM mid-field defence, passed to McKinney who drew his marker
and put Karl Quinn in space to go in at the corner. Karl Wilkinson put over a superb
conversion fro the touchline. On twenty-five minutes, a break by Aaron McKinney caused
confusion in the YM defence and Andy McKeen was able to pick up and race down the
touchline to score. Karl Wilkinson converted to leave Carrick leading by 35 points
to nil. The out-half set up Carrick's sixth try with an excellent kick deep into
the YM 22, forcing the visitors to scramble the ball into touch. From the line-out,
Andy Kincaid picked up and forced his way over. Karl Wilkinson hit the up-right with
his conversion attempt to leave Carrick leading by 40 points to nil. They appeared
to ease back a little in the closing minutes of the half and YM produced their first
attacking moves of the match, coming close to scoring with one breach of the Carrick
defence. However, the home side's defence held out to keep YM scoreless at half-time.
The second half had lasted just five minutes when the two YM players had to leave
the field because of the father's illness and both Captains and the referee agreed
to end the game at that point.
This was something of a romp for Carrick, with the pack totally dominant. They will
almost certainly face a much sterner test away to Omagh on Saturday 27 February.
The Carrick team against Londonderry YM was:
A. McKinney; W. Shaw, J. Wady, J. McConnell, K. Quinn: K. Wilkinson, M. Patterson;
D. McKeen, G. Baxter, P.Greenaway, S. Currie(Capt), A. Kincaid, M. Haddon, N. Marsden,
A. McKeen.
The Carrick 2nd XV beat Ballymoney II by 16 points to 12, also at Woodlawn, a victory
which keeps them very much in the hunt for the League title. The tries came from
Glen Picken and Ian Turner, with Luke Totten putting over a very important drop goal
and kicking a penalty. "Man of the Match" was shared between John McDowell and Mark
Patterson.
The 3rd XV defeated Academy III by 38 points to 20. The Carrick tries came fromAndy
Dodge, Marty Reid, Craig Jordan, Sammy Mayne, Craig Brazier and Gareth Hughes. Alan
Smith converted four of the tries. "Man of the Match" was shared by Gareth Hughes
and Sammy Mayne.
The Carrick 4th XV were awarded the points when Civil Service were unable to field
a side. This means that the 2nd, 3rd and 4th XVs currently sit top of their respective
League Sections.
The Under 19s match against Ophir and the Under 17s with Larne were cancelled because
of frozen pitches.The Under 17s match may be played at Woodlawn on Wednesday 24 February
under lights.
The minis played hosts to Ballyclare last Saturday but, because of the firmness of
the pitch, only touch rugby could be played.
At the pre-match reception for the Londonderry YM game, the Club played host to a
number of Carrick Grammar School pupils and Michael McAuley who came through the
minis section at Carrick and was capped this season for Ireland Under 19s against
Australia.
Cheers,
Michael
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