Larne men continue winning ways

There were numerous changes to the Larne team from the side that beat Donegal due to injuries, illness and work commitments. The side welcomed Derek Lough, Johnny McKinty and Gareth Jamison in to the pack with Aaron McBride coming in to the backline.

The Larne men knew that with the conditions underfoot so soft that it would be very difficult to play the running brand of rugby that they have tried to play all season. However, from the very onset they tried their upmost. Ricky McIlheron and James McCluggage, made a break up the blindside in the first minute moving play in to the Newry half. As the Larne men started to pass the ball a great offload by Garrett allowed Thomas to break free. As he rampaged up the wing he passed inside to Garrett who remained in support. The full back used his pace to run in for a score. Andrews converted.

From the restart a Newry error allowed the Larne men back in their half. As they continued to attack the pressure was too much for Newry and a penalty in front of the posts was slotted over by Andrews. Inside 10 minutes Larne were 10 points in front.

As Larne continued to mount pressure on the Newry line again they gave away an unfortunate penalty which allowed Newry to clear. This seemed to be a real turning point in the match spurring Newry in to top gear. The home sides pack started to dominate and clamped themselves in the Larne half.

At scrum time they gave the Larne men a torrid time. This pressure finally took its toil with Newry awarded a penalty try for a wheeled scrum. From the restart Newry again clamped themselves in the Larne half. However, they were unable to move forward through ferocious defence by the Larne men.

As the game became more physical, aggression and tempers began to fray leading to handbags, with the ref having to stop the game to talk to both captains. Newry were awarded another penalty for Larne going off their feet at the ruck. Their outhalf landed a long range penalty.

As Newry continued to attack at the end of the first half Larne defended ferociously moving their opposition back metres at every phase. As they spread the ball wide the ball bobbled free. Andrews hacked the ball on. The Larne backline pursued with Garrett dribbling the ball up half the pitch to score a superb try with footballing skills that even Lionel Messi would have been proud of.

Before the stroke of half time Larne were awarded another penalty that Andrews slotted over.

Score at half time 18-10 to Larne.

At half time the Larne men knew they were in the ascendency with the wind in their favour for the second half. Early at the start of the half Newry were down to 14 men when their prop was sent off for a second yellow card. As the rain began to fall the pitch became even worse underfoot. Andrews moved to the wing after a bang to the head. McBride started to dictate things at outhalf kicking the ball deep in to the Newry half. As the home side failed to clear their lines their defence was stretched. McBride looked up and hit a beautiful cross field kick for Phil Andrews to bounce on a score.

As the Larne men looked in the clear, concentration and discipline dropped off again. Within a matter of minutes they were reduced to 13 men with Gareth Jamison and Ian McIlheron both yellow carded. With the men in red at a numerical disadvantage they grabbed the bull by the horns and did not allow the Newry side to break through. Mark McIlheron and Gary Mills were prevalent in defence thumping back any attacker that came their way.

As Larne got back to full strength the game became very scrappy with handling errors. Scrum half McIlheron was becoming increasingly frustrated with his pack with the lack of clean ball to ignite his backline. As the game progressed Larne continued to attack however could not cross the whitewash. The score finished 23-10.

An average performance by Larne in what is a difficult place to get a result. Those new faces in the squad did well which shows the strength and depth the club has this season. The pack know they have to work on their lineouts and scrums before their next fixture.

However a week off next Saturday allows those with bumps and niggles to get a well earned rest.

Larne Team 1-15:
D Lough, R McAllister, C Rea, C McKinty, J McKinty, G Jamison, M McIlheron, J McCluggage (Capt), R McIlheron, P Andrews, G Mills, I McIlheron, A McBride, R Thomas, R Garrett