Larne face tough test against Newry

There was a pre match function before the game kindly sponsored by AI Services and Glanbia Cheese.

The game kicked off in horrific conditions. The pitch could only be described as touch and go with the rain blowing across the pitch. Larne played in to the wind in the first half and they knew they were in for a battle against a much larger forward pack.

It wasn’t long until Newry made there presence felt when they pushed a Larne scrummage backwards. With the turnover ball they fed the ball out their backline and a line break saw the Newry centre run over for a score. Within the first five minutes of the game Larne were down 5-0.

As the weather worsened Larne were finding it difficult to clear their lines against the strong wind. Running the ball was also difficult with the ball resembling a bar of soap. However, the visitors applied further pressure disrupting the Larne lineout and giving the Larne forward pack a torrid time at scrums. As Newry pinned Larne in their 22 they were awarded another scrum. As they pushed the scrum forward they rumbled over the line for a try. The conversion was missed.

Within 15 minutes Larne found themselves behind 10-0.

Almost in a state of shock the Larne men reacted. They began to play with ball in hand. Jordan Burns, Colin McKinty and Matthew Agnew made telling breaks. However, the wet ball was leading to handling errors which let Newry clear the lines deep back in to the Larne half.

As Larne ran the ball back at Newry defence a pivotal moment in the game occurred. The Newry prop received a nasty cut to the forehead resulting in him having to leave the pitch immediately to head to hospital. With Larne at a numerical advantage their tails were up. As Newry spread the ball to try to clear their lines Scott Montgomery intercepted a pass to run in under the sticks for a score. Andrews converted.

At half time Newry led 7-10.

With the wind on their backs in the second half Larne knew the momentum had swung in their favour. With the one man advantage in the scrums Larne now had a platform to work form.

Garrett and Andrews now aerially bombarded the Newry defence with booming high kicks in to the 22, which created havoc for the visiting back three.

The pressure finally took its toil with Andrews slotting over a penalty in front of the posts to bring the scores level at 10-10. As Larne continued in the ascendancy Garrett was kicking the ball beautifully in to the corners keeping Newry in their own 22.

As the forward pack created quick ball, the ball was passed out wide to Nick Kelso who went over in the corner for a well taken score. Andrews was unable to convert.

For the remainder of the half Newry ventured in to the Larne half once. As the weather and pitch worsened Larne just pinned the visitors deep in their own half making it virtually impossible to get out of. Larne were awarded another penalty which Andrews slotted over to the sound of the full time whistle.

Larne ran out winners 18-10.

It was a disjointed game but a win is a win. Preparation was not ideal with Mills and McCluggage crying off late with injury and illness.

However, the two replacements Colin McKinty and Matthew Agnew both shone in what was a dogged affair. Another hard game next week away to Donegal, but the question remains if the match will be playable with men from across the border having to cancel their last two games due to water logged pitches.

Larne Team 1-15: D Lough, G Wright, C Rea, J Cole, M Crampsey, C McKinty, G Jamison, E Hunter, R McIlheron, P Andrews, M Agnew, S Montgomery, J Burns, N Kelso, R Garrett (Capt)