Larne Men Win Randalstown 15s Tournament!

A squad of 21 players headed to Randalstown to take part in the annual Randalstown Tournament. 8 local teams competed Ballymena 2’s, Carrick, Academy, Holywood, Randalstown, Ophir, Ballyclare and Larne.

It wasn’t the ideal of starts for the Larne men with the squad arriving ten minutes before kick off in their first game. They lost to a well drilled Randalstown side 14-0. During the time between the next game the squad gathered themselves together and got themselves composed. This proved its worth when they started the second game against Ballymena like an express train when they scored two quick successive tries through Jonny Cole and Nick Kelso. Credit were credit is due the much larger Ballymena side came right back at the Larne men and the men in red defended the rest of the game fighting out a 10-7 victory. With a win under their belts they knew they had a tough game in their next match against their major rivals for the incoming season Holywood. Against a much bigger pack the Larne men played a fast expansive game and it wasn’t long until Luke Brownlee snuck over in the corner for a try. A momentary lapse in concentration allowed Holywood in for a soft score. With the scores tied at 5 each Phil Andrews capitalised on a Holywood mistake to chip through and bounce on the ball for a score. The Larne men pinned their opposition back in their half for the rest of the game to win 12-5.

Finishing second in their group Larne were through to the semi finals to play against Carrick in what turned out to be another ferocious and hotly contested games. The defence from both sides was relentless however the Larne men let nothing past them with the back row of Wright, Jamison and Hunter smashing everything in front of them. The Larne men won the game 3-0 through a long range penalty from the boot of Phil Andrews to proceed to the final against Academy.

With the players beginning to feel the effects of the previous games the Larne men had to give it their all in the final. They got off to a fantastic start with Ryan Garrett waiving his way through the Academy defense to score in the corner. The much bigger Academy side started an onslaught on the Larne defence however the Larne men stood their ground and tackled everything in site. Academy pulled it back to 5-3 with a penalty in front of the posts however it was Larne centre Johnny Hall who had the last laugh bursting through the Academy backline to score under the posts for a score. Andrews converted and Larne ran out winners 12-3.

A fantastic achievement by the Larne men who have shown they do not deserve to be playing Qualifying 3 rugby this season. Lots of new faces in the squad who certainly put their hands up for 1st XV rugby this season. However, special mention must go to Gareth Jamison who was absolutely phenomenal the whole tournament tackling everything that came his way.

Larne coach Laurence Kelly had to say “After a shaky start and a loss to Randalstown I thought we would be making an early exit but somehow we got through to a semi final against Carrick and within a minute I knew we would win. The boys began to transfer several hard weeks of pre season onto the pitch and we carried that performance through to the final A positive start to the season and I am extremely proud of all the lads and so pleased for the club. This year is a test of our metal because we are favourites to gain promotion and that namecertainly adds to the pressure. Every league game must be played like a cup final. I will not leave a stone unturned to achieve that goal.”