Folllowing their poor showing at University of Ulster last week, the Maxol-sponsored
Carrick 1st XV put in a much improved performance at Gibson Park against a strong
Malone 2nd XV in the Junior Cup on Saturday 7 November.They were unlucky to lose
by 24 points to 20, finishing the stronger of the sides and being denied a winning
try in injury time by what looked suspiciously like a deliberate knock-on. The pack
put in another strong performance with Andy McKeen and Matt Hadden standing out,
the former mainly for his role in attack and the latter for his work at the ruck
and in defence. In the backs, Aaron McKinney was once again prominent and was heavily
involved in most of the Carrick attacks. Carrick, who dominated territory and possession
for long periods, suffered once again from what appears to be a recurring problem
this season; a tendency to concede soft tries against the run of play. This may have
something to do with injury problems forcing changes in the back-line each week.In
this context, it was good to see Club Captain, Glen Picken, back in 1st XV action
when he came on as a substitute in the final quarter.
Carrick started strongly and came close to scoring through Karl Quinn in the opening
minutes. However, the home side opened the scoring in the seventh minute when one
of their forwards was allowed to break from a maul and make a lot of ground into
the Carrick half following which quick ruck ball, and an incisive break by their
inside centre, produced the try which was converted. While Carrick continued to dominate
terrotory and possession, Malone scored again after fifteen minutes and, again, it
was a break-away try made by the blind-side winger coming in-field to make the initial
break before feeding the open-side flanker who got the try. Again, the conversion
was successful. Shortly afterwards, the visitors got a reward for their pressure
when Karl Wilkinson kicked a penalty. Then, after making a mess of one great opportunity,
Carrick finally crossed the Malone line after twenty-seven minutes when turn-over
ball was transferred quickly along the backs for Ian Turner to go over in the corner.
The try was not converted. Although Carrick continued to dominate, there was no further
scoring in the first half and half-time came with Malone leading by 14 points to
8.
In the early stages of the second half, Carrick continued to dominate territorially
but it was not until the fourteenth minute that they were rewarded with points. After
battering the Malone line for about five minutes, they seemed to have lost their
chance when the home side got their hands on the ball and put in a long clearing
kick.However, the kick was strongly run back by full-back Aaron McKinney and then
taken up by open-side Andy McKeen who put in a neat grubber kick and re-gathered
to dive over. Karl Wilkinson added the points to give Carrick a one point lead. In
a period reminiscent of the defeat at Academy, they then conceded two tries in four
mintes, the first following quick off the top line-out ball and the second after
a series of rucks, quick ball and several switches in the direction of the attack.
However, it must be said that the Carrick defence was at fault in both tries, neither
of which was converted. Carrick, now trailling by 24 points to 15, began to take
alomost total control in the final quarter but it was not until the thirty-fifth
minute of the half that they got over the Malone line again. The initial work was
done by Andy McKeen and then Paul McIlrath, standing at inside centre, put in a great
run before transferring to Aaron McKinney who hit the line at speed and out-paced
the defence to score. The try was not converted, leaving Carrick four points adrift.
They immediately returned to the attack and, in injury time , from an attacking scrum
ten metres out the backs appeared to have created an over-lap on the left when a
Malone defender, realising he had been sucked in, leaving the Carrick winger un-marked,
stuck his hand out in desperation and knocked the ball on. The referee was, unfortunately,
unsighted and initially gave a line-out but did appear to be coming back for a scrum
when he blew the final whistle! This left Malone somewhat fortunate winners by 24
points to 20.
Carrick will take heart from their performance in this game and, if they can just
cut out some of the defensive errors, they could be much more successful over the
remainder of the season. They face more Junior Cup action on Saturday 14 November
when they face Instonians II at Woodlawn.
The Carrick team against Malone was:
A. McKinney; P. Saberton, J. Neill (G. Picken), K. Quinn, I. Turner; K. Wilkinson,
M. Patterson; G. Leslie (M. Patterson), G. Baxter, P. Greenaway, S. Currie(Capt),
T. McCracken, M. Hadden, A. McKeen, P. McIlrath.
The other senior Carrick sides in action on Saturday both won. The 3rd XV beat Antrim
by 16 points to 14, with Captain Craig McArthur getting the only Carrick try. Chris
Auld put over three penalties and converted the try, resulting in him being adjudged
"man of the match".
The 4th XV crushed Randalstown by 58 points to 8, scoring ten tries. These came from
Neal McGookin, who got two, Bill Simpson, Neal Kennedy, Robert McCarroll, Philip
Ritchie, Brian Hamilton and "man of the match"(for the nth time!)Gareth Clarke who
celebrated his birthday with a hat-trick. Stephen Martin converted four of the tries.
The Youth sides played their first competitive matches at home for nearly two months,
against Rainey, with the Under 17s winning by 36 points to 5, the Under 15s by 61
points to nil and the Under 13s losing by 15 points to nil.
On Sunday, the Carrick Ladies team drew 5points all with Cavan, Helen Smith scoring
the Carrick try and picking up the "lady of the match" award.
Back
