AIL REVIEW: ‘Positivity and optimism’ as Ballyclare enter festive break with derby boost
Ballyclare have moved up to seventh in AIL Division 2C after a 34-19 bonus point win over Ulster rivals Belfast Harlequins.
Mike Orchin-McKeever’s side scored six tries at The Cloughan to win back-to-back games for the first time this season.
“The performances had been really strong, but the results hadn’t been going our way...it is nice to get nine points out of the last possible 10,” said Orchin-McKeever. “It is nice to go into the Christmas All Ireland break with a couple of wins and a bit of positivity and optimism.
"And trying to get people to believe in what you are telling them and showing them what they are capable of, that kind of reinforces it.
“A couple of points further away from the bottom of the table is nicer but it is still a ridiculously close league.
“There is no denying that having an actual out half playing in his position assists, but when you have one as good as Alex Darragh it is a huge plus to us.
“Joel McBride getting consecutive games under his belt...the two of them should become match fit at the start of 2026 and when they get to their level of match fitness that will make us stronger.
"Going through those hard times and learning has been great for moving forward into the second half of the season.”
Orchin-McKeever was delighted to get five points against Quins.
“Huge to get a bonus point and furthermore for Harlequins to go away with no points,” he said. “It is our only Ulster AIL derby this season, we’ll look forward to the break then be excited for the return trip to Belfast in January.
“A strong squad performance was great to see, people coming off the bench making an impact, people going off to get recovery time then coming back on and everybody playing their role.
“Picking up wins you are showing that you are more clinical and game smart, the boys are being more clinical than they were, but they are just being smarter with their game management.”
The win over Harlequins marked the halfway point of the season for Ballyclare.
“To be sitting on 19 points and tied for seventh after nine games is not what you plan during pre-season or target,” he said. “But the amount of continuous unavailabilities through injury and misfortune, we have learnt and we’ll grow.
“Going into the second half of the season you’d like to think that nucleus of the team will be there allows other people to come on and get more game time and represent what it means for the club.
“I’d like to think in the second half of the season we’ll be in a stronger position to challenge for more wins and pick up more points.”
Jack Black got two tries - Ross Patterson, Peter Gillespie, Matthew Coulter and Grant Bartley also crossed for Ballyclare.
Ballynahinch suffered an agonising defeat in the Bateman Cup final.
Adam Craig’s team lead from the ninth minute until a converted Ivan Soroka try four minutes from full-time give Clontarf a 21-16 win.
Queen’s remain bottom of 1B after a 52-12 home defeat by Trinity.
Dungannon beat Ballymena 30-10 in Division 2A, Banbridge lost 18-10 at home to Greystones.
In 2B, Rainey beat Malone and Clogher Valley had a bonus point win over Buccaneers.