True test of metal for Larne men in treacherous conditions

Photo Credit: Larne Times

There was one change to the Larne side from the previous week with Ryan McAllister coming in to the pack.

The game kicked off in horrendous weather conditions with the men in red playing with the wind. Psychologically the home team seem to think that this advantage could win the match for them. With the majority of the possession in the first half the errors at lineout and at the break down stopped them to register any points early on.

Frustration began to creep in and was evident with players beginning to force things. The referee also stamped his mark on the game early with numerous free kicks and penalties awarded at scrum time and at the breakdown which resulted in a lack of fluidity in the game for both teams.

With 20 mins played Larne got onto the score board when a delicate chip through by Philip Andrews saw Scott Montgomery run through and touch the ball down for a try. Andrews converted.

As Larne continued to attack they were awarded a penalty on the half way line. Andrews told captain McCluggage that he wanted a shot at the posts. The young out half stepped up and hit a monstrous kick to land another 3 points. It was at this stage that the Larne men lost concentration allowing Donegal into the game.

Failure to clear their lines and the Donegal pack beginning to dominate the scrums saw the Larne men clamped in their own 22. A Donegal scrum on the Larne 5 metre line saw them drive the Larne 8 backwards. A pick and go from the scrum saw them drive over for a score. The score was converted.

At half time the Larne men were in front 10-7.

A stern talking to by coach Kelly warned the Larne men that they had a lot of work to do playing in to the strong wind and rain. Soon in to the start of the second half Larne lost No 8 Eddie Hunter to a bang to the head. With the scrums going backwards and the Donegal pack with the edge Larne knew they had lots of work to do to stay in front. However, this was the changing point in the game.

The Larne 14 grabbed the game by the scruff of neck and took control. Mark McIlheron and Chris Rea made numerous steals at the breakdown forcing Donegal to give away penalties which Andrews slotted over.

Donegal were also awarded a penalty that they slotted over. The away team used the elements to kick deep. However, the Larne back three of Garrett, Mills and Thomas gave very mature performances with Garrett kicking the ball back in to the corners and the two wingers strong with ball in hand.

Thomas also had to do a shift in the back row with Hunter having the left the field. Wright was also struggling with a rib problem. Ian McIlheron made a telling break up the right hand side which resulted in the home team gaining momentum.

As Larne moved play up field through the pack they had the Donegal team under the cosh. However, the referee penalised the home side twice for going off their feet at the breakdown allowing Donegal to clear their lines with the use of the wind.

In the last 10 minutes Donegal searched for a try. With conditions under foot worsening the chances of playing flowing running rugby were limited. The Larne defence looked comfortable with huge hits going in most notably by Gibson and M McIlheron. As Donegal knocked on under pressure the referee blew the whistle for full time.

Larne were winners 16-10.

A dogged performance by the Larne side who didn’t let the complacency of their two last large victories creep in. It was a vital performance by the young team which should stand them in good stead for the rest of the season. However, the victory came at a cost with Scott Montgomery now out for a lengthy spell with a hand injury. Also, the blows that Hunter and Wright sustained could also see them out for next week’s game.

Larne Team: C Gibson, R McAllister, C Rea, C McKinty, J McCluggage (Capt), G Wright, M McIlheron, E Hunter, R McIlheron, P Andrews, G Mills, I McIheron, S Montgomery, R Thomas, R Garrett