McKeen inspires derby victory

On a near perfect day for rugby, Carrick ran in five tries against three penalty goals to record a 27 points to nine victory. While the winless BHSFP competed well in the first half they found themselves three points down at the break and were unable to seriously threaten the Carrick line in the second half.

The home side were able to breach their opponents' defence too easily at times. For Carrick, Andy McKeen had an outstanding game at number eight, making a lot of yards with ball in hand and scoring a fine individual try. He was the deserved winner of the man of the match award. At full-back, Aaron McKinney had another very good game and the front row of David McKeen, Richard Higgins and Paul Greenaway were again prominent as ball-carriers.

High School started well and were 6 points up after fifteen minutes thanks to two well struck penalty goals. However, from the re-start after the second penalty, Carrick found touch deep in the High School 22 from a penalty of their own and, when the ball was transfered quickly to Aaron Mckinney, the full back broke through an attempted tackle to go over in the corner. Johnny Sheriff put over an excellent conversion to give Carrick a one point lead.

Both sides were finding it difficult to retain possession for more than one or two phases but Carrick were begining to look the more threatening with ball in hand. In the twenty-eighth minute, Andy McKeen broke through the middle of the High School defence following a period of broken play and took the ball right up to the visitors' line where it was quickly recycled to allow Paul Greenaway to force his way over.The try was not converted and Carrick now led by 12 points to six.

High School continued to remain competitive and clawed back three more points with another penalty goal on the stroke of half-time.

Carrick began to take control after the break and extended their lead after ten minutes of the second half when Richard Higgins touched down after a line-out catch and drive. The try was not converted and Carrick now led by 17 points to nine.

Ten minutes later, Aaron Mckinney got his second try, and Carrick's bonus point, when he cut through the visitors' defence following an initial break by Wesly Anderson. There then followed High School’s best phase of the match in terms of territory and possession but they were unable to breach the Carrick defence.

Indeed, it was the home side who had the last word when Andy McKeen ran back turn-over ball from inside his own half and beat two defenders to score a fine individual try. This was not converted and Carrick finished as winners by 27 points to 9.

Carrick: A. McKinney; C. Jordan, W. Anderson, J. Wady, K. Quinn; J. Sheriff, M. Patterson; D. McKeen, R. Higgins, P. Greenaway, S. Currie(Capt), C. Rea, N. Marsden, C. Patterson, A. McKeen.

Seconds: Carrick’s second XV beat Instonians III by 28 points to 21, getting the winning score with the last play of the game. Man of the match Alan Davidson scored two tries and Gareth Clarke and Daryll Crothers got the others. Kris James converted all four tries.

The thirds defeated Lurgan II by 13 points to 3 despite finishing with only thirteen men.The only try came from man of the match Andy Armstrong while Ricky Moore kicked two penalties and a conversion on his Club debut.

The fourths lost by 13 points to nil to Ballynahinch VI.

Fixtures

Saturday, October 16

2nd XV vs Coleraine II, League, home

3rd XV vs Newry II, League, away

5th XV vs Ophir III, League, home

Under 19s vs Randalstown, League, home

Youth teams vs Portadown, League, home

Minis vs BHSFP, home

Sunday, October, 17:

Ladies vs Cill Dara, League, away