Larne Power over Ophir in Gordon West Opener

Ophir arrived at Glynn for this 1st round of Gordon west group match full of confidence after an excellent pre season & boasting possibly their best side for years, arguably in their history according to some reports.

Larne on the other hand are holders of the Cup & have prepared well getting close to their strongest line up, though several front line players haven't committed to pre season so were not selected along with ex ulster schools winger Gary Mills, who had a knee injury, whilst Housty Saunderson had just returned from holidays.

Larne started strongly but found a very well organised visiting side who not only took care of their own ball but also defended strongly.
Patience was the key & despite a retreating scrum Larne were dominant in other facets & went ahead after mark Mcilheron was on ex ulster junior skipper's, Steve McReynolds shoulder to go over for Aaron McBride to add the extras.

Larne stretched their lead with some outstanding rugby seeing tries from Ryan McAllister, always lively in the loose & Jonny Hall who is revelling in his new found 15 role. McBride added 2 more conversions before Ophir showed what they were capable of with a penalty followed by a great forwards try.

As half time approaching & Larne with the wind in their backs, the biggest roar of the day was when new prop big willy Rea thundered over. The big man only started playing last season as lock for the 3s but will prove a huge asset once he settles in to his new role & builds his fitness.

Again the plucky well coached visitors came back & went in at the corner to leave it 38-13 at half time.

The Larne coaches message was for a massive first 10 in the second half & this was duly delivered with Ophir starting to tire after an intense first half effort.

The classy Larne backs started to wreak havoc in this period & further tries were amassed by Jordan burns 3 whose powerful bursts make him so difficult to stop, Rhys Thomas (2) who looks the real deal in the 12 shirt, Phil Andrews who replaced the injured McBride, Ryan Garrett - the skipper is leading by example on the training pitch as well as match day also grabbed 1.

Larne also made a change in the front row of the scrum which just wasn't clicking & whilst Ryan McAlister was unlucky to be replaced, the scrum solidified greatly with Rea moving loose, Gibson to hooker & debutant prop Joseph Johnston coming in and making terrific impact.

Back row mates Jonny Cole, who had a quiet start until the 2nd half when his performance was inspired & Man of the Match Eddie Hunter who turned in his usual faultless All round performance for 2 tries. Eddie got the vote but McIlheron, Gibson & Garrett were also outstanding.

The match was blown up early as Ophir heads went down but it was far from an easy ride until Larne cut loose in the last quarter.

Final Score Larne 78 - 13 Ophir.

Some scintillating rugby was played & the Glynn has the look of a Fortress again but a massive challenge awaits in the league next up v Limavady & coaches Wilson, Kennedy, Cameron & Marshall know where the weak spots Are & will look to address in the next 2 wks.

Larne: Gibson, Mcalister,Rea, McReynolds, Crampsey, Cole, Hunter, Mcilheron, Garrett (c), McBride, Agnew, Thomas, Burns, Montgomery, Hall, Andrews, Johnston