Carrick claim bragging rights over Ballyclare

Carrick out-scored the home team by four tries to one to win by 29 points to 7. With a strong breeze blowing across the pitch, but favouring Carrick in the first half, the visitors employed an intelligent mix of handling and line kicking to keep Ballyclare penned in their own half for much of the game.

Indeed, in the second half, it took almost thirty minutes for the home side to get a foothold in the Carrick half. The entire Carrick back-line were named as "Men of the Match" for their performance, with Karl Wilkinson and Michael Patterson putting in outstanding line-kicking displays.

The forwards also contributed significantly, in both loose and tight, with storming ball-carrying performances from Andy Kincaid and Andy McKeen. Although Ballyclare were reduced to fourteen men after twenty minutes, when their out-half had to go off injured, Carrick were already comfortably on top by then. They had their own injury problems in the second half, with Gary Leslie going off after twenty-five minutes and both wings finishing the game limping.

Carrick dominated the early stages of the game territorially but did not open their account until the twenty minute mark when No 8 Andy McKeen forced his way over following a catch and drive from a lineout, a strong carry from Andy Kincaid and quickly re-cycled ball. The attacking position had been set up by an excellent touch find deep in the Ballyclare 22 by scrum-half Michael Patterson. Karl Wilkinson added the conversion.

Carrick continued to control the game but it was nearly half-time before they added to their score. Andy Kincaid was involved again, peeling off a lineout to make ground towards the Ballyclare line, following which quick ball enabled Aaron McKinney to cut inside his marker to score. Karl Wilkinson again added the points to give Carrick a 14 points to nil half-time lead.

With the wind marginally helping the home side in the second half, Carrick gave a demonstration in how to counter any opposition advantage by good ball retention and kicking only when it was sensible to do so.

After five minutes of the half, a box kick by Patterson forced Ballyclare to scramble the ball into touch. Carrick won clean line-out ball, again Kincaid made ground and blind-side Matt Hadden picked up to go over. Karl Wilkinson converted to give the visitors a 21 points to nil lead. Carrick continued to control territory and their next score came thanks to a Wilkinson penalty after twenty-two minutes. Shortly after this, and for the first time in the half, Ballyclare enjoyed possession in the Carrick 22 and were eventually rewarded with a try after thirty-four minutes when a long miss pass from a scrum enabled them to breach the Carrick defence to score. The try was converted.

With time running out, Andy Kincaid got the try he deserved, picking up from a scrum and breaking three or four tackles to barge his way over from the Ballyclare 22. This time, Karl Wilkinson was unable to convert, leaving Carrick the victors by 29 points to 7.

The Carrick team against Ballyclare was: J. Neill; C. Jordan, K. Quinn, A. McKinney, W. Shaw; K. Wilkinson, M. Patterson; G. Leslie, G. Baxter, P. Greenaway, S. Currie(Capt), A. Kincaid, M. Hadden, N. Marsden, A. McKeen.

Seconds: In a mixed week for the Club, Carrick's 2nd XV lost their Crawford Cup semi-final away to Ballynahinch on Wednesday 10 March by 19 points to 6. Carrick's points came from two Karl Wilkinson penalties.On Saturday, the 2nds then lost away to Cooke in the league by 27 points to 14, having been level with their opponents , at 14 all, at half-time. The Carrick tries came fro Glen Picken and Michael Nugent, with Johnny Sheriff converting both.

Thirds: The 3rd XV were awarded the points when PSNI II could not field a team.

Fourths: The 4th XV defeated Lisburn by 15 points to 12, with tries from Graeme McConville and Stephen Martin. Gary Hunter kicked a conversion while Ross Hunter dropped a goal and collected the Man of the Match award.

The Carrick Youth teams travelled to Cavan and came up with a clean sweep.The Under 17s won by 38 points to 6, the Under 15s by 60 points to 7 and the Under 13s by 42 points to 5.

Fixtures: 1st XV vs Donaghadee, home; 4th XV vs Shorts, away; Under 19s vs Donegal, home; Minis home to Belfast Harlequins.