Larne Overcome Strong Malone Test

1STS V MALONE

Within the 1st two minutes Malone where given a shot a goal due to infringement at the break, this opportunity was missed however a penalty try for Malone soon followed due to a scrum going down that Malone had a good drive on. Philip Andrews struck back with a 3 pointer to keep Larne in touch.

Larne started to get the measure of Malone and Rhys Thomas who hasn’t played any competitive rugby yet this season due to injury was back in the squad and really showed great form with some blistering runs. After building some good phases that man Rhys Thomas showed his strength and power by carrying the ball and 4 Malone players with him over the line, Philip Andrews added the extras to put Larne 10 7 in front.

Malone hit straight back with a try of their own to put them back in front 14 10 on the stroke of half time.

After a positive talk from coaches Kelly and McReynolds and a good rally of his troops by captain Hunter, Larne where up for the 2nd half battle.

Larne started brightly with good carries from Burford and Reid and building a good structure and pattern. Malone were up to the task and carried hard themselves but great tackling by Jamison as usual and Montgomery in mid field kept them at bay.

Larne where awarded a penalty try themselves after a tackle off the ball that would have resulted in certain try otherwise. Andrews added the conversion Larne 17 14 ahead.

After some too-ing and fro-ing Larne put the ball in the corner from a penalty and started hammering the ball forward. Luke Burford was on hand to score a fantastic try from a pick and go from the base of the ruck and powered his was over again taking many Malone players with him. Larne 24 Malone 14.

Malone had a serious talk under their sticks and came back at Larne with vengeance, they hammered away at Larne picking and going and spinning the ball wide but Larne held firm for phase after phase. However, the pressure eventually told and Malone crossed to make the score 24 21 to Larne.

Johnny Wilson was unlucky not to score after the ball squirted out and he collected and saw the space in behind and a neat chip and foot race for the ball only to be denied by an unlucky bounce.

With 10 minutes to go the battle was really on with Malone threating to score only to be denied by handling errors due to the pressure Larne where piling in defence. After sustaining the pressure and controlling the clock Larne managed to turn the ball over and Garrett showed his class, he spotted a gap right in the middle of the ruck jumping through and racing away, Burns was in support but Garrett showed why he is one of the best in the business stepping the fullback and racing on to score.

FINAL SCORE 29 – 21 Larne