Larne 3rds progress to next round of McCambley Cup

Choosing to play into the stiff breeze, Larne started the game well and put some good phases into the opening part of the game. It wasn’t long before the 0-0 deadline was broken by Portadown as ill-discipline at the breakdown gave the home side a kick at goal and slotted it 3-0.

Portadown continued to put more pressure on the visitors within the Larne 22 but strong defensive efforts from Warwick, Wilson and Marshall kept Portadown at bay.

Larne looked well on the counter attack through scrum phases and strong line breaks from McCullough and Johnston showed Larne could turn the game round. However with the penalty count from the visitors rising and a strong wind advantage with Portadown, they extended their lead with a try through the forwards. A conversion took their score to 10-0 and halftime was called.

Encouraging words at halftime from veterans Wilson and Marshall boosted the Larne performance as they were the first ones on the scoreboard. Prop William Robinson powering over the try line from some good forward work. The conversion from Wilson adding the extras 10-7.

Portadown attempted to run the ball wide but were cut short due to the new unorthodox centre partnership of Williamson and Harvey.

Again at the breakdown, Larne were penalised and the resulting kick to the corner gave Portadown a commanding position to drive over and score. Conversion missed 15-7.

From the restarting kick, an attempted clearance from Portadown fell into the hands of countering full back Andrew Gibson, who produced a wondrous chip over the top and collected the ball to glide over the try line untouched. Israel Falou, eat your heart out. Wilson duly knocking the extras over and game on at 15-14.

In true Larne fighting spirit, the visitors upped the ante through phase after phase, out half Marshall linking up well with his platform of forwards and backs, but it was the power of Ross Williamson that got Larne back in front with a try. Wilson keeping his cool to maintain a 100% kicking ratio.

With the scoreline sitting at 14 - 21, neither team wanted to see the likes of a repeated extra time stalemate, but with minutes to go, Larne sealed the game an audacious drop goal from the back of a ruck via the boot of Wilson.

Full time score - Portadown 4ths 15 - 24 Larne 3rds.

Larne 3rds: W. Robinson, C. Smyth, B. Warwick, J. McCullough, M. Gilbert, S. McDowell, D. Robinson, S. Johnston (c), D. Wilson, S. Marshall, C. Magill, R. Williamson, D. Harvey, J. Shirley, A. Gibson.

Next Cup fixture: Ballymoney 4ths v Larne 3rds, Saturday 2nd January 2016.

Images from Portadown Facebook Page

Dick Of The Day Moment

Bobby Warwick

After showering and dressed into his Christmas jumper for the players’ party, Bobby heard some Christmas music being played… However he couldn’t hear who or what was making the noise and searched the changing room for the source of the music.
It soon dawned on Bobby to look at his own Christmas jumper and realised he was the one playing “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”!