Larne Win In Titanic Battle Against Holywood

There was a pre match function before the game kindly sponsored by Danske Bank.

There were two changes to the Larne team from the previous week. Johnny McKinty came in to the pack with Ian McIlheron coming in to the backline.

The Larne men hoped that there recent good form would continue as they wanted to make amends of the heavy defeat they suffered to Holywood at the start of the season.

The game kicked off in glorious conditions. It was evident from the onset that the game was going to be a physical contest. The thumping hits put in by both sides were colossal with both teams wanting to stamp their authority early on. The visitors scrum dominated early on putting the Larne forward pack under pressure.

The men in red stuck at it and continued to attack. Matthew Agnew was unlucky with an early penalty attempt which just fell short of the posts. However, they pinned Holywood in their half for the first 20 minutes.

The pressure continued to mount and Larne were awarded a penalty in front of the Holywood posts that Agnew slotted over. It was at this stage that Holywood spurred in to action and began to dominate play.

They clamped themselves in the Larne half for 15 minutes. As they dominated at scrum time they had Larne under extreme pressure with a few scrums going backwards. Larne were penalised numerous times and the referee warned of repeated infringements.

Holywood never opted for the kickable penalty option and chose to scrum. As they continued to attack they were held up over the Larne line twice through heroic defence most notably by I McIlheron and McKinty.

Larne were able to clear their lines when it looked as if Holywood were going to be awarded a penalty try at scrum time, the visiting tight head pop was penalised for boring in.

This was a real game changer as Holywood had thrown everything at Larne and came away with no points.

At half time Larne led 3-0.

With the game evenly poised the weather began to deteriorate and the conditions under foot softened. Larnes game plan was to keep their opponents pinned in their 22.

The Larne scrum began to tighten and contested well. At line out time Crampsey was winning secure ball and allowing quick ball for scrum half McIlheron. Outhalf McBride was beginning to look a real threat breaking the Holywood line on numerous occasions however was unfortunate not to have any support.

However, the young outhalf was next on the score sheet with a beautifully struck drop goal to put Larne 6-0 ahead.

The visitors showed glimpses of danger when they spread the ball wide however last ditch defence by the Larne backline saved the day.

Around the fringes of the rucks Jamison and McAlister were proving to be a real handful spoiling ball. McBride and Garrett used their kicking game effectively and pinned the Holywood back three deep in their half.

As Larne mounted an attack Holywood influential no 8 was penalised and sent to the bin. Agnew had a shot at goal with the penalty attempt however was unlucky.

Failure to clear the ball in to touch saw the ball drop in to Rhys Thomas hands. The rampaging winger set off in to the heart of visitors defence taking numerous men to bring him down.

As the ball spread wide good hands by Hunter and Rea put Jordan Burns under the posts for a score. Agnew converted.

As the game become more physical injuries began to mount. The scrums became uncontested when the Holywood prop left the field through injury.

As Holywood ran everything they could they were smashed back by a sea of red. As the conditions worsened the Larne men didn’t look like conceding and ran out victors 13-0.

A fantastic team performance from 1-15. A real test of metal at the end of the first half when they were under severe pressure and did not concede any points. The young players in the team really fronted up in defence, most notably hooker Ryan McAlister who put a man of the match performance in.

The result sees the Larne men winning their pool and securing a home tie in their quarter final. However, the result boosts the Larne mens momentum and surely gives them confidence when they play Holywood again in March in the league.

Larne Team 1-15: C Gibson, R McAllister, C Rea, M Crampsey, J McKinty, J McCluggage (Capt), G Jamison, E Hunter, R McIlheron, A McBride, R Thomas, I McIlheron, J Burns, M Agnew, R Garrett

Photo credits:
Scrum - Stephen Johnston
Album - Bill Guiller

Below: Credit Larne Times. Johnny McKinty tries to break through the Holywood defence.