Lisburn almost cause an upset as they frighten league leaders Ballyclare

Following their rather dismal performance against Omagh in their last game they felt they owed themselves a big effort and right from the start they threw themselves into the game with full abandon. Ballyclare may have been unbeaten in the league, and also Junior Cup finalists, but it was Lisburn who drew first blood when following fierce drives on the Ballyclare line, centre David Gilkinson broke a tackle to score near the posts. Unfortunately, the conversion failed but Lisburn were 0-5 up to give them great heart for the rest of the game. Ballyclare responded within five minutes of the restart with a simple penalty but David Scott restored the five point margin with a similar effort a few minutes later to make it 3-8.

Lisburn were making light of the gluey underfoot conditions and up front the other three Gilkinson brothers, Mark, Aaron and Jonny – it is not often a first XV can put out four brothers – were making hay with the home scrums. On the thirty minute mark the visitors had another opportunity to increase the lead when a deft crosskick from outhalf Ross Edgar, one of another pair of brothers in the team, almost reached the outstretched hands of outside centre David Scott with the line beckoning, but a knock on ensued to save the day for Ballyclare.

Just as the half was petering out, Ballyclare broke up-field to the Lisburn line and put severe pressure on the visitors defence but some great tackling and rucking of the highest order kept ‘Clare out and their only consolation was a penalty in front of the post which brought up the halftime score of 6-8.

Ballyclare set their stall out almost immediately with one of the strong-running Ballyclare backs breaking a tackle to score. The conversion put them into a 13-8 lead. However, Lisburn kept them in good check but had to forego another penalty on 25 minutes to stretch the gap to 16-8. Lisburn renewed their attacks with vigour and for ten minutes were camped inside the home 22. Eventually the pressure told and when scrumhalf Chris Knox spotted an overlap outside he quickly moved the ball out to winger Adam Melville who dashed into the corner to score. The conversion was again missed but with five minutes remaining, and the score at 16-13, Lisburn knew that they still had an opportunity to cause an upset. Alas, ‘Clare held their line intact.