URC D1: Dromore 23 Ballyclare 29

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by

John McMurtry

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Ballyclare got their season up and running with a hard fought win against Dromore at Barban Hill on Saturday afternoon.

Report and images by Cyril Boyd

After a cagey opening quarter Ballyclare opened the scoring through a try, converted, off the upright, by . Jackson then doubled Ballyclare’s lead, the young fullback running in a clearance kick from Dromore to finish under the posts for a simple conversion.

Mark Jackson touches down for Ballyclare against Dromore.

Dromore pulled seven points back immediately, with finishing under the posts from the restart return. added the conversion to take the game to 7- 14.

Ballyclare’s dominant scrum kept the visitors in the right areas and after a period of pressure in the Dromore half hooker went over for Ballyclare’s third, convert by Jackson to take the score to 7 – 21 minutes before the break. However, the scoring wasn’t completed with Dromore hitting back again through the restart return with scoring out wide. McDonald knocked over the difficult conversion to take the score to 14 – 21 at half time.

Ben Russell pulls one back for Dromore against Ballyclare.

Dromore made the most of Ballyclare indiscipline and three third quarter penalties from McDonald saw the home side kick their way into a 23 -21 lead.

However, Ballyclare regained their composure with a Jackson penalty restoring their lead before a driving maul saw over the line to give the visitors a hard earned 23 – 29 win.

Gallery Below

Ulster Championship D1 Results Week 2

SAT 4 SEPPortadown29–42Carrickfergus
SAT 4 SEPGrosvenor24–34CIYMS
SAT 4 SEPDromore23–29Ballyclare
SAT 4 SEPEnniskillen28–12Cooke

Ulster Championship D1 STANDINGS Week 2

TEAMPWDPDBPPTS
Carrickfergus2101226
C.I.Y.M.S210526
Ballyclare210426
Dromore210-526
Enniskillen1101615
Instonians110915
Clogher Valley110204
Cooke210-1104
Portadown100-1311
Grosvenor200-1911

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