Larne edge out UUC in New Years Thriller

In blustery conditions the hosts made their way upfield from the kickoff pinning UUC on their own line. Some strong carries from the Larne pack resulted in captain Eddie Hunter barging over for the first try of the day. The conversion was missed giving larne a 5-0 lead. UUC responded immediately with a try of their own leaving the game tied at 5-5.

UUC continued to apply pressure and some poor defending from the home side let UUC under the posts again for a converted trying giving the away team a 5-12 lead.

A shell shocked Larne struggled to get into the game and again the youth and enthusiasm of UUC led to another try leaving the score 5-17 at the half hour mark.

Larne gradually made their way upfield and some good work from a Larne lineout saw prop Luke Burford crash over the line for Larne's second try of the day. Andrews converted bringing the score to 12-17. With seconds remaining in the first half Larne were awarded a penalty which out half Philip Andrews slotted in extremely difficult conditions to leave the half time score 15-17.

After a few stern words from coach Kelly Larne began the second half strongly and some good phase play resulted in veteran second row James Mccluggage powering thru the UUC defence and touching down to give larne a 22-17 lead. Again UUC responded with a well worked try of their own leaving Larne trailing by 2 points. With the wind behind Larne's back some smart kicking from Garrett and Andrews kept a hungry UUC team pinned deep in their own half.

Again some hard work from the larne pack made an opening for winger Ty Mackness to crash over from close range. Andrews converted giving larne a 29-24 lead.

With 20 minutes remaining some strong carries from Wilson and Cole put Larne deep in UUC's half. Hunter picked up from the base of a ruck and drove over for his second try of the day bringing the score to 34-24. UUC continued to apply pressure and after a Larne infringement the UUC out half took 3 points in front of the posts bringing the score line to 34-27. With seconds remaining Larne were awarded a a scrum 15 metres from the UUC line. Solid work from the pack gave Garrett the platform to slot a drop goal and deny UUC the losing bonus point.

Next week's fixtures:

Virginia v Larne in the Towns Cup
Larne 2 v Omagh 3