Larne leave it late v Lurgan

It was evident from the outset that the hosts had their tails up for the match having run the visitors close a few weeks prior. The first half Larne played in to a low sun which proved a tricky challenge in itself let alone the fierce tempo that Lurgan set.

Larne took an early lead through an Andrews penalty but it was not long before this lead was reduced. As the Lurgan maul rolled up the pitch the defence was sucked in, a delicate kick from the scrum half saw the winger collect and dart over the line untouched for the score.

This was soon followed by a penalty which was duly converted after a collapsed scrum. It was clear from early on the home team sniffed the upset.

Just before the half time break the Lurgan out half isolated a loose forward to find a hole to leave a simple two on one with the full back to score in the corner.

Half time score was 15-3 to the hosts.

Larne re-grouped and knew they needed a big turnaround after the break and that is exactly what they got. A solid scrum, led by Rea and Hagans give Larne a good foothold and plenty of possession.

As Hunter broke off the back, good hands across the backline put Burns in at the corner for his first score of the day to reduce the scores to 15-8.

The hosts were rattled and Larne went up the gears quickly. Great work at the break down by McAlister and McKinley making hit after hit gave the attacking Lurgan little ball.

Larne again gained field position and an incredible line by Smyth seen him disappear from the defence and put Burns in for his second to level the scores. However, this was not to knock the spirit out of Lurgan, they came back with a try of their own with only five minutes to spare after Larne gave away a silly penalty.

From the restart Lurgan gathered the ball and set up phase after phase working their way down to the Larne 22. As the scrum half was looking for his man, the ball fortunately rolled out of the ruck for Garrett to gather and scamper up the touch line evading a few tackles. The ball was thrown inside to Andrews to round the last defender and score under the posts.

Final score Lurgan 20 – 22 Larne.

“The team showed a lot of heart to come back from the half time deficit which is something we haven’t had to do so far this season, it bodes well for a tough run of games over the next few months,”

Larne (1-15): C Rea, Smyth, Hagans, Crampsey, W Rea, McKinley, McAlister, Hunter, Garrett, Andrews, Montgomery, Thomas, Mills, Burns, Hall