This top of the table clash at Belmont had a winner takes all vibe as CIYMS battled their main rivals Carrick for pole position in Championship 2 on Tuesday evening.
CI had the better start, rush defence and thumping tackles, especially from CI centre Jason Gilliland, rattled Carrick in possession and CI took full advantage getting ahead after 12 mins with a penalty sent between the sticks by Jack Bonnar.
Their lead was stretched to 8 – 0 with a rolling maul from a 5m line out, flanker Ben Rainey grounding the ball, Bonnar not able to add the extras.
Carrick had opportunities when they looked like they would get off the mark but errors at critical moments allowed CI to escape with the scoreline intact. They were able to capitalise on their good fortune with another penalty from Bonnar extending their lead to 11 – 0.
Carrick finally got off the basement floor after a surging run from winger Harry Norton into the CI 22 lead to an infringement. Carrick centre Daniel Curley kicked the 3 points. The momentum was with the visitors and solid forward pressure saw second row Lewis Patterson power over between the posts. The straightforward conversion was the last play of the half and brought the scoreline to 11 – 10 in the home team’s favour.
Carrick picked up where they left off and battered CI’s defence with the home team struggling to get out of their own half. The pressure mounted and eventually CI winger Fergus Doherty was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock on as Carrick looked to score. The extra man paid dividends for Carrick who minutes later were touching down for their second try in the corner wing Josh McCauley claiming the score. The tricky conversion just slipped wide but Carrick were ahead 11 – 12 for the first time in the game.
CI responded positively but it looked like Carrick could snatch the win. The teams swapped penalties before a moment of madness turned the game as the ref reversed a penalty originally awarded to Carrick allowing Bonnar’s trusty boot to nudge the shot between the posts to regain the lead with 5 minutes remaining.
CI clung on and just ended up with the victory at 17 – 15. Two matches to go and its advantage CI in the promotion race
