Ballyclare High School took their chances, in wet conditions, to win this game against a spirited Wallace High School 27 – 17.
Wallace dominated large portions of this game but it was the home side, cheered on by the home crowd, that made the best of the wet conditions to win with a degree of comfort in the end.
The home side were first on the score sheet with a penalty from out half Jonny Holmes. However Wallace were on the score sheets shortly after when a penalty was kicked to the corner and flanker Dean Irvine forced his way over from the resulting lineout. The conversion was missed from out wide leaving the score at 3 – 5.
Holmes added his second penalty after a good period of pressure from the home side and the out half found his way over the line shortly after when the visitors failed to clear from a defensive lineout. Holmes converted his own try taking the score to 13 – 5.
Wallace deservedly hit back before the break when a strong run by their number 6 allowed full back Cal McIlwaine to score, with out half Jordan Grattan converting. The sides turned round with the score reading Ballyclare 13 Wallace 12.
Both sides played an excellent standard of rugby given the conditions but the visitors perhaps tried to move the ball too often given the wet conditions. Inevitably a mistake was made with Wallace on the attack and the dropped ball was snatched up by Ballyclare winger, Peter Ferguson, who sprinted clear from his own half to score under the posts. Holmes added the extras and to give Ballyclare a 20 -12 lead.
Wallace however continued to attack and after a period of sustained pressure No. 8 Andrew Neely barged over for an unconverted try taking the score to 20 – 17 with ten minutes remaining.
The home side had the final say and, after a huge maul up field, lock forward Scott Barr broke from the back to race over to score. Holmes converted to take the final score to 27 -17.
