Away win for Larne 1sts

With the adverse weather conditions and a dreadful playing surface, it was going to give the hosts a better chance to contain the fast play that Larne have been trying to utilise over the last number of weeks.

It did not take long to see that the visitors were not adapting to the conditions quickly as Strabane stormed into an early first half lead.

Penalty after penalty gave the home side great field position as they played with the wind and Larne were not doing themselves any favours. Before they knew it they were 13-0 down and only ten minutes remaining of the first half.

Having regrouped under the posts, the Larne men came out fighting from their kick off and finally realised that they were in a tough game.

Mills got his hands on the ball on a few occasions causing havoc for the Strabane defence, the slippery conditions made him near impossible to put down. This seemed to give a boost of confidence to the rest of his team mates and Larne started to battle back.

Solid carries from McCluggage and Johnston set up quick ball for the backs to spead wide and put Hall in at the corner for their opening try.

It did not take long to add a second when the pack again set up a similar situation by rolling up the middle of the pitch. The ball was then spread to the opposite wing for Mills to cross for a well deserved try. Andrews had been on point with a conversion and penalty to give Larne a slender half time lead of 15-13.

The weather conditions did not improve at the break but with the wind at their back Garrett sent a long kick down field to pin the Strabane men on their own five metre line. The back disrupted lineout ball and forced the turnover, a pick and go opened a few gaps in the defence for Hall to pick a great line and score his second of the day.

As the conditions and temperature deteriorated, so did the standard of play. By this stage it was clear that both teams were looking forward to the showers, as Strabane cleared their lines for the last time, a quick lineout saw Cole trot up field and put McBride into a hole down the wing to score in the corner. Andrews converted to leave the final score 13-29.

A well fought win for the Glynn side puts them in a good position going into this week’s fixture with Lurgan. KO at the Glynn 14:30.