1st XV Suffer Away Defeat to Omagh

Larne travelled to Omagh on Sat 11th Feb for another tough Qualifying 2 league clash against the Co Tyrone high flyers.

Several changes this week, marked the return of McFetridge and Crampsey in the forwards along
with Loosehead prop Derek Lough returning to the side. Danny Garsten made his debut in the backs
at 12, with Phil Agnew his outside centre.

Underfoot conditions were much better that expected and the home side took full advantage early
on. Their powerful pack made an immediate impact with strong running from the wing forwards and
captain No 8. This resulted in 2 very early tries, though it has to be said Larne didn’t put up much of
a defence. Early missed tackles and poor communication gifted the home side with a sizeable point’s
advantage.

In another attack, Omagh moved the ball quickly out the backs thinking a routine try was waiting,
but Garrett sprung on a stray pass in one if his trademark intercepts, to score under the posts. He
duly converted the conversion to give Larne the much needed 7 points. This proved to be a turning
point as Larne enjoyed most of the possession for the rest of the half and really put the home side
under good pressure. Omagh lost their winger due to a shoulder injury and with strong running from
forwards McFetridge, Hunter and McIlheron, this lifted the team. Larne won a penalty in front of the
posts to gain another 3 points before the break, to leave the half time score 29-10.

Larne started the 2nd half much like they finished the first, and opted to keep ball in hand. A strong
scrum all day also provided a platform for some good attacking moves. Larne’s second try of the
day, proved to be one of their best of the season. A neat interchange of passing between backs and
forwards stretched the Omagh defence to allow Phil Agnew to score in the corner.

Unfortunately some defensive errors allowed Omagh break through to score 3 more tries in the
second half leaving the final score Omagh 44, Larne 15.

Larne showed some glimpses of the form they are capable of when attacking, and certainly gave
Omagh a decent game, but some leaks in defence let the home side get out of sight.

Team – 1. Lough, 2. Gibson, 3. Hagans, 4. McKintey, 5. McFetridge, 6. Crampsey, 7. M Mcilheron, 8.
Hunter, 9. R Mcilheron, 10. Garrett, 11. Burns, 12. Garsten, 13 Agnew, 14. Rennix, 15. McBride.

Next Saturday, see’s Larne host local rival’s Ballyclare in the league.