‘Adaptability and strong finish’ key to Ballyclare win

Ballyclare will play in the newly-revamped Division 2B North next campaign after three consecutive bonus point wins have moved The Cloughan club to within four points of the play-offs.

“We have had a lot of learning this season,” said Orchin-McKeever. “Unfortunately, we have done it through losing matches, I’d far rather win matches and take learnings but the exposure the more players got has aided us in the closing round of the season.

“There was never a doubt of us finishing strongly or us finding victories...it was just getting that momentum builder.

“We were never really afraid of being bottom two or three of the league and now, with two remaining games, the focus is firmly on finishing as high as possible in the league.

“There has always been a sense of ambition around the group and we always have belief, we have put a lot of work in and it is just about finishing as high as we can.”

Ballyclare travel to third-placed Thomond on Saturday before finishing at home to leaders Clonmel.

“There is definitely feeling within 2C that anything can happen, the challenge is clear there are two fixtures left, there is an opportunity,” he said. “It is about staying sharp, driven and making the most of these two performances as this year’s squad.”

Tries from Jacob Scarlett, Matthew Coulter, Aaron Playfair and Josh Cowan earned Ballyclare a 27-22 bonus point win over Midleton.

“The pleasing thing was that one of our tries was the last play of the game, they are more than an 80-minute team they are an 85-minute team,” said the coach. “The rotation of the players, the adaptability off the injures we got in the game...the adaptability and the strong finish would be the two takeaways.”

Belfast Harlequins remain in the relegation play-off spot but closed the gap on eighth-placed Midleton to two points. Tries from Ben Power, David Armstrong and a brace from Harry Palmer gave Quins a 29-21 bonus point victory over Monkstown at Deramore.

Ballynahinch’s play-off hopes in Division 1A are all but mathematically over after a 28-21 scoreline at UCD. Adam Craig’s side are nine points off the top four with two games left.

The play-off race in 1B stands congested as Instonians stay third after a narrow 36-33 home defeat to Garryowen but two match points.

City of Armagh moved up to fifth with a 25-12 win at the Palace Grounds over Highfield. Connor Neary, Rocky Olsen and James Andreson touched down for the home side.

Banbridge will be playing in Division 2B North next year after they were relegated following a 38-0 home defeat by Shannon.

Ballymena dropped to eighth, six points above the relegation play-off zone, after a 28-5 home reversal against Corinthians

Dungannon dropped a place to third after a 38-32 loss to Wanderers at Stevenson Park.

In 2B, Clogher Valley enjoyed a 31-0 win away at already-promoted Galwegians, Rainey dropped out of the top four after a 31-21 defeat in Sligo,

Malone are a point off the top four after a narrow 35-34 win in Navan.