Larne 2nds rue bad start

The opening stages of the game were well contested with both sides playing hard rugby.

Larne had the chance to go in front with a penalty through Carter, but was pushed wide and the Bangor backs counter attacking dangerously following the miss.

Bangor were first onto the board with a strong maul from the lineout proving to be a strong part of their game and scored a try through the number 8. The conversion leading the score 0-7.

Larne lost some composure and conceded 3 more tries to take Bangor into a 0-26 advantage. Hard running by Rhys Thomas lifted Larne’s head by strong running through the Bangor defence and powered over the try line. Half time score 5-26.

Matthew Agnew started the second half strongly through precise kicking and strong passing to get Larne on the front foot. Heads were held high when a quick lineout was taken inside the Bangor 22 and vast experienced Derek Lough, surged over the try line to inspire the fight back into Larne’s will.

It was end to end action in the last quarter of the game when Bangor scored another try, but from Larne’s restarting kick, Mark McIlheron won the ball back on Larne’s side and Steven McDowell split through the defence and some very fancy footwork got onto the scoreboard and a conversion from Agnew.

Within the last 10 minutes Larne were on the front foot and punished the Bangor side with 2 efforts in the corner, but went astray that would have prospected their hopes and a closer game, leaving the score at the final whistle 17-31 to Bangor.

Team: A. Ferguson, S. Smyth, D. Lough, S. McDowell, G. Liddle, L. Cameron, R. McAlister, Mark McIlheron, M. Agnew, G. Knox (c), N. Kelso, R. Thomas, Ian McIlheron, A. Carter