Fine performance by Larne 3rds

Once, twice, three times a reschedule; Larne had waited almost a month for the weather to allow this fixture to go ahead. When the time came the 18 Glynn men faced 14 Rainey Old Boys.

With the semi-final spot firmly in mind Larne started hard and fast, pounding the Rainey defence mercilessly with the strength of Gilbert, Rea and ex-Old Boy McCann, forcing their way deep into the opposition’s end.

A quick back move and a delightful line by McKinty saw him explode through the middle and score under the posts, leaving two battered centers to pick themselves up.

The first half continued much in the same vein as Larne used the extra man to thwart any opposition attack and to press home their own attacking advantage. With Captain Agnew, at fullback, marshalling the Glynn forces to enact his diabolical scoring plans Larne soon added another with the pack mauling towards the line and birthday boy S. Johnston (25) driving Hagans over the line.

Rainey regularly proved a thorn in the home side however, quick penalties and faster reactions at the break down caused havoc in the Larne defence but they couldn’t capitalise.

McKinty added two more tries to his repertoire, the first an exquisite grubber kick from Knox for McKinty to chase into the corner and the second a close range interception.

Shirley and Agnew rounded out the scoring for the first half each scoring on either wing after the ball was spread wide.

Larne came out in the second half intent on making it a copy of the first, Rennix and Railton replacing wingers Shirley and R. Johnston. More great tackling from McNee, McAllister and McDowell forced Rainey into kicking to try and relieve pressure.

But Agnew shepherded the defenders expertly causing an overlap on the right and when Larne recovered the ball Railton sprinted for the corner flag to score his first try on his cup debut. Soon after, he added his second.Larne forwards mounted even more pressure on Rainey and combined with intricate back play resulted in Railton crossing the line again.

In the ferocity of the Larne attack one of the Rainey squad was injured and was unable to continue. Rather than continue to play with a two man deficit both Captains agreed to call the game after 50 minutes. Larne claimed the 48-0 victory with 8 tries and 4 conversions.

Larne take one step closer to the final with a great squad who should be proud of their performance. Lots of good rugby played on both sides.

Line-up: D. Hagans, S. Johnston, D. McCann, M. Gilbert, W. Rea, S. McAllister, S. McDowell, J. McNee, B. Garrett, G. Knox, J. Shirley, C. McKintey, A. Murray, M. Agnew, R. Jones, G. Rennix, I. Railton