Larne power over visitors Strabane

Going into the game Larne feared that one of their big challenges of the day could be complacency against a team that had just been relegated from last season. However, it soon became apparent that the scrum was again going to potentially play a big part to the day.

A well drilled front 5 saw the visitors dominate the scrum for the entirety of the match but it did not prove to their benefit as Larne played their best free flowing rugby of the season to date.

The pack may have been pushed in the scrum but their work rate around the park could not be matched by the Strabane side. Time after time Larne set up quick ball and dominated the head to head collisions in open field. It was not long before Burns showed a turn of foot to get in for his first of a quick brace.

Confidence was flowing through the Larne veins and they played to it to avoid going to set piece as much as possible. It was not long before McAlister also bagged himself two tries with great supporting lines from close range.

It didn't take long for the travelling heads to drop and Larne pushed on.

Mark McIlheron scored arguably the try of the day, possibly season, when he collected the ball from the tail of the line out on his own 10 meter line. As he bashed through the first two tackles like a raging bull, he continued to show a Shane Williams like sidestep to round the full back, hold off a further two defenders and cross the whitewash.

Larne made it to half time with further well worked tries from Hall and‎ Agnew who both worked tirelessly all day.

With an injury to M McIlheron the coaching staff took no risks and brought him off at half time to rest up and the home side played the remainder with 14 men.

Half-Time Score 42-0.

Centre partnership of I McIlheron and Thomas continued to blossom and although not scoring as many tries as they would like, they are without doubt making the hard yards to make it easier for everyone else.

Break away tries from Andrews and two from Garrett put the game beyond any doubt shortly after the break. Although the visitors enjoyed a spell on the Larne line they were unable to cross at any stage with solid defence from Hunter and McKinty in numerous occasions. It was then that man McKinty to get on the score sheet next as he hit a ludicrous line of Andrews and strides away under the posts.

The final score ended up 78-0 to Larne and another step forward in the league.

Next week sees the Larne men travel to Lurgan for what will be one of their toughest challenges of the season. It is evident that with a great buzz the whole.way through the club at the moment that we will travel with confidence and give everything on the day to come away with the win.