Larne 1st win home to Lurgan

With Larne having already been lucky to beat Lurgan twice away from home earlier in the season, it felt like the visitors were due their turn.

They started the game at a ferocious pace in both attack and defence, bringing a physicality to the match which Larne had rarely seen all season. Although the home side had much of the ball in the opening stages, they could do little with it playing into a strong wind and defence.

It was not long before Lurgan used the elements to their advantage and pinned Larne deep in their own half. After an onslaught from the strong Lurgan pack, the Larne defences were finally breached to allow their quick 13 to score under the posts.

It did not take the visitors long to add their second try as they broke up the blind side and their scrum half showed a good turn of foot to leave the scrambling defence in his wake.

Having been in a similar position the week before, the Glynn men knew they needed to up their game, and that they did from the kick off.

The ball was spread wide to S Andrews who made a telling break up the right wing, Burns was on hand for the off load who made more yards as he fended off the Lurgan defence. As Burns broke the arms free Garrett was on hand to link with McAlister who finished off what would be one of the tries of the season to date.

Larne finally had found a foot hold in the game and started to play with confidence as they ran the ball into the wind. With Burns back at 13, he was causing havoc round the field and it was not long before he had his chance. After the pack rumbled up field through McIlheron and McCluggage, the ball was spread wide for Burns to use his pace and strength to get him over the line.

This took the Larne men into half time trailing 10-14.

With the wind at their backs, Larne knew they had a huge advantage in the second half. The front row of Lough, McIlheron and Hagans give a solid base for Hunter and R McIlheron to control the ball. The hosts used this base to their advantage and as S Andrews hit a short line off Garrett to go over, it did not take long for Larne to get into the lead.

Crampsey and Hunter stole ball numerous times against the head at lineout and the Lurgan confidence began to deflate.

Play started to open up and with both P Andrews and McBride finding the corners to relieve any pressure, Lurgan started to look down and out. Tries soon followed for Garrett and McBride shortly before Burns crossed for his brace.

With Andrews boot on point in the second half the final score ended up 38-14 to Larne.

Larne travel to Limavady this Saturday in what could be the league decider in this clash between the top two.