Larne Men get job done after slow start

AMNEXDAY sponsored Larne 1stXV travelled to New Forge Lane on Sat to take on PSNI

in one of their three remaining league games.
There was welcomed return for captain McCluggage, McWhirter, C McKinty, Hunter and McBride.

The game kicked off in blustery conditions however the pitch was in superb form and suited the Larne men for their running rugby that they wanted to play.

PSNI however had a different idea. They defended heroically in the first 10 minutes disrupting the Larne play causing the visitors to give away penalties.

The Larne set piece was dominant with Crampsey dominating at the lineout’s and the Larne front 8 dominating at scrum time. This was giving clean ball to Garrett who was able to get his backline ignited.

As the game progressed the centre partnership of McIlheron and Montgomery was becoming more prominent. It wasn’t long until Larne finally crossed the whitewash with Nick Kelso.

Larne were on the score sheet soon after when Stuart Smyth hit another beautiful line in the centre to dot down under the sticks. As Larne tried to gain momentum the PSNI were a continual thorn in their side.

Their scrumhalf was a continual threat sniping at every opportunity. His box kicking was also effective and eased his teams pressure. As Larne moved play upfield through the sniping runs of Smyth and Garrett the ball
was spread wide to McCluggage who bulldozed his way over in the corner for a score.

The PSNI heads still did not drop. Larne ill discipline saw them break in to the Larne 22.

As they won their lineout their scrum half broke through for a well deserved score under the sticks. PSNI tails were up and continued to attack.

As they broke from a scrum in their own half they attacked deep in to the Larne 22. A fortunate knock on relieved the pressure for the Larne men.

As Larne had a scrum on their own 5 metre line they decided to run the ball.

The ball was spread wide to the galloping Burns as he raced up the wing he was able to keep the ball alive. As the ball was offloaded between forwards and backs Colin McKinty raced for the line just inside the PSNI half. With the full back to beat he fended him off to go over in the corner for a score.

This was the turning point in the game with the PSNI heads dropping.

At half time Larne were now out of sight.

At half time Coach Kelly warned of complacency and that positions were not secure for the Gordon West semi final next weekend.

The Larne men went up a gear. They began to run the ball from everywhere. They scored two consecutive tried from restarts. The backs were cutting holes and Kelso and Burns were getting the ball out in their wings with space making continual yardage.

There were quick scores for Burns, Andrews and McBride. As the PSNI broke in to the Larne half for the 1st a series of rucks and mauls. Larne were annoyed at conceding a second and they were on the score sheet soon after.

Garrett took a quick penalty from inside his own half to dance his way through the PSNI defence to score a well taken try.

Larne finished the game with another well taken team score. As the ball was spread wide Colin McKinty broke through and galloped up the pitch to be ably supported by Kelso who dived over for his second of the time in the second half they scored through day.

With slightly over 10 minutes remaining the referee blew up early much too both teams delight to get home and watch the Ireland game.

Larne ran out winners 55-12.

This wasn’t a bad team performance by the Larne men at the end of the day. A slow start however some of the tries that were scored were a real 15 men effort. In the pack Smyth and Jamison had a superb games. Smyth used his pace and jinky side step to add fire power to the backline with Jamison sound in defence all day.

McIlheron and Montgomery look to be forming an effective centre partnership and Burns looks a real threat every time he touches the ball on the wing.

The team know they have a lot to work on before their semi final next Saturday at Letterkenny.

Larne Team:
McCluggage (c), Smyth, McWhirter, Crampsey, McKinty, Thomas, Jamison, Hunter, Garrett, Andrews, Burns, McIlheron, Montgomery, Kelso, McBride