Match report and photo credit by John McMurtry of FrontRowUnion.com.
Ryan McAlister scored two first half tries for the home side with Ryan Garrett adding a third in the second half. Philip Andrews chipped in with two conversions and a last minute penalty to secure the game.
Having beaten the visitors twice already this season the odds were on a home win and it looked that way as Larne went into a 14 – 0 lead thanks to two tries from their young blindside lanker Ryan McAlister, both converted by out-half Philip Andrews.
Larne looked to be well on top and with full back Ryan Garret creating havoc in the Lurgan defence a big win for the East Antrim side looked on the cards.
Lurgan had other ideas and, rather like Munster against Ulster the night before, their pack gave them a way back into the match with a drive over try with ten minutes to go before the break.
The visitors followed that up with a second try just before half time and, with both tries converted, the teams turned round all square at 14 – 14,
The second half turned into a dog fight in the middle of the middle of the pitch. Larne rallied sufficiently to send Ryan Garrett over for their third try to take the score to 19 – 14 but the visitors hit back with a penalty to reduce the lead to two points.
As the tension mounted both teams reverted to kicking for territory in a scrappy second half and Lurgan missed a couple of opportunities to take the lead before a last minute penalty from Andrews secured the game for Larne.
Final Score: Larne 22 Lurgan 17.
Larne: C Rea, G Wright, S McWhirter, M Crampsey, J McCluggage, R McAlister, G Jamison, E Hunter, R McIlheron, P Andrews, N Kelso, R Thomas, J Burns, M Agnew, R Garrett, J Cole, A McBride.