Larne see déjà vu against CIYMS in Cup

It was a dark day at the Glynn on Saturday 7th December. In the first round of the McCambley cup Larne faced off against CIYMS in a repeat of their first league game of the season.

Both sides started off strongly, attacking with promise into each other's halves yet not returning with points and the game looked like it would be a close run affair. Then CIYMS unleashed their wingers. These half men, half cheetahs used their pace and strength to power round the home defence and scored 2 early tries on either wing, although only managing to convert 1.

Larne in their white kit advanced up the right flank like Christmas angels of wrath, forcing the opposition deep into their own 22 and causing so much havoc for the defence that they conceded a penalty 10m out from the line. A tap and pass to M. Gilbert saw the man mountain brush aside 2 visitors as though they weren't there to score Larne's first points of the day. C. Aston added another 2 from the conversion.

CIYMS then began their show. 5 unanswered tries saw the league leaders gain a seemingly insurmountable lead.

Larne fought hard, at times playing good rugby with J. Cole and M. Gilbert breaking the line and C. Aston, A. Murray and S. Smyth causing headaches for the CIYMS back line; but with the final pass dropped more times than Taylor Swift's boyfriends they had nothing to show for the hard work.

Enter P. Reid, legend and I. McIlheron, back.

Having watched the first half from the side lines they had a good idea of where to strike to try and give Larne the upper hand. P. Reid led the charge, bringing attackers down left right and center and breaking the defence apart in attack and in the end deservedly scoring Larne's second try of the game. Even with McIlheron's commanding voice in the back line directing the defence the visitors managed to slip another 2 tries through on the counterattack.

With 10 minutes to go CIYMS found themselves on the halfway line holding the ball with most of the Larne defence standing watching. Winger R. Johnston taking the initiative took out the ball carrier with a colossal hit that any forward would be proud of, knocking the ball loose for McWhirter to gather and combine with A. Murray for Larne's third and final try of the afternoon.

CIYMS determined to have the last word added one more score to end the game 64-17 winners.

Despite the score line Larne showed great promise in attack, thwarted by small mistakes forced by a well drilled defence. If they work on their defence they could go far in the Butler Shield but definitely a team to watch.

Line-up: J. Butler, R. Adair, D. McCann, M. Gilbert, W. Rea, S. McDowell, S. McWhirter, J. Cole, S. Smyth, C. Aston, R. Johnston, C. Burleigh, A. Murray, S. McAllister, G. Rennix, P. Reid, D. Robinson, I. McIlheron