Disappointing start to the league campaign by the Larne men

Larne started the brighter of the two teams with Garrett, Mills and I McIlheron breaking the Holywood line within the first 5 minutes. However, the Larne men took the foot off the pedal for the next 20 minutes. Holywood had racked up 12 points within a short space of time and Larne lost Eddie Hunter to the sin bin.

As Larne began to get back in to the game, Phil Andrews slotted over a penalty to bring the score to 12-3. Holywood were reduced to 14 men with a sin binning which Larne capitalised on when full back Garrett danced his way through the Holywood back line for a well taken score. Larne ill discipline at the breakdown allowed Holywood another kick-able 3 points.

With 5 minutes remaining of the half and well taken catch by Chris Rea set up a good platform for the backs to spread the ball. Garrett broke the line of defence again. As he neared the opposition full back he passed inside to Ian McIlheron who dived over for a score. Andrews missed the conversion. Half time score 15-15.

After strong words at half time by coach Kelly, Larne knew that hey were still in this game and hadn’t really going. However, ill discipline again allowed Holywood another kickable 3 points.

Larne moved up the field immediately and had the majority of possession however their attacking game was littered by handling errors and miss judged passes. However, Scott Montgomery broke the line to pass to Gary Mills who went over for a score. Andrews converted.

At 22-18 in front the Larne team and spectators thought that his was the swing in the game. However, a knock on at the restart and scrum which went back at the rate of knots seen Holywood break through to score under the sticks. However, this was at a cost with Ian McIlheron being knocked out in the process and having to leave the field of play.

With Larne reduced to 14 men the wheels went off the cart and the flood gates opened with Holywood dominating the rest of the game. Things got worse when Sam McWhirter left the field of play reducing the Larne men to 13. At this point Holywood ran in another 2 scores.

Final score 45-22.

This was a below par performance by the Larne men who got their just rewards. This is hopefully the kick up the backside that they need to show that this league will not be a walk in the park. They need to dust themselves down and come back next weekend with a bang. It’s a long season with plenty of fixtures to be played. Every good team has a bad game in the season and hopefully Larne have got theirs out of the way early on.