Larne get the double over local rivals Carrick

This return fixture promised to be just as physical as the first as Larne hosted long-time rivals Carrick at a wind blasted Glynn.

From the first whistle the tackles flew in thick and fast, it was obvious no love was lost between these two sides. Much to the home side’s dismay it was the visitors who scored first. Carrick’s centre running an inside line broke through the Larne line to score under the posts. A conversion gave Carrick a 0-7 lead.

This early score shocked Larne into action. Relentless tackling from Robinson, McWhirter, McKinty and all three Johnstons (not related) ensured Carrick didn’t score any more points.

Battering runs from the forwards set up an attacking platform in front of the Carrick posts. Two quick attacking phases from here had McDowell charging at the defence and McWhirter breaking the whitewash to score Larne’s first. Carter added the conversion to level the score.

A handling error from Carrick gave Larne a scrum on the opposition 22. The strong Glynn pack secured the ball before spinning the ball left for a short back phase and then swung the ball back right to McKinty who patiently handed off every defender in arms reach before scoring on the wing. Carter was unable to force the conversion over in the face of a strong head wind.

Soon after, a massive kick from Carter set Larne up with a lineout just inside the 22. Winning the ball from the lineout the forwards mauled forward under the watchful eye of Garrett who navigated the rumbling pack on before Liddle broke over the line to add 5 points to the home tally.

The home team then lost S. Johnston to injury and was replaced by McAuley who slotted seamlessly into the pack.

As half time came and went Larne made 2 changes, swapping Shirley onto the wing for Railton and McIlheron into 9 for Garrett. The second half seemed more like a war of attrition as Carrick upped both their defence and increased pressure in attack but the Larne lads stood firm and resolute like 15 Gandalf’s defiantly ensuring Carrick would not pass.

Carter added 3 more points from a penalty to increase the lead by 13 points. The visitors pushed hard to work their way close to the Larne line, but the defence turned the ball over and turned the magic on.

McIlheron, from within his own 22, broke down the wing evading groping hands and slide tackles before sending the ball deep into the Carrick half and raced after it with McKinty and McDowell in hot pursuit. The Carrick fullback recovered the ball and attempted to send is own kick back but a charge down from McDowell combined with a colossal tackle from McKinty spoiled his afternoon and left McIlheron to daintily pick up the ball and run the final try in under the posts. Carter sealed the win with 2 more points from the conversion.

In the final seconds of the game J. Johnston and J. Shirley combined to score what seemed like a perfectly good try but the referee judged the final pass to have been forward and signalled the end of the game.

This unusually civil game between Larne and Carrick was thrilling to watch. Larne’s defence showed much improvement from the previous week and hopefully they can take this forward into next week’s game against Ballynahinch.

Final score Larne 27 - 7 Carrick.

Line-up: J. Johnston, D. Robinson, D. McCann, G. Liddle, W. Rea, J. McKinty, S. McDowell, S. Johnston, B. Garrett, A. Carter, R. Johnston, S. McWhirter, A. Murray, I. Railton, G. Rennix, I. McAuley, J. Shirley, R. McIlheron