Victory over Monaghan keeps Larne in touch with leaders

Skipper James McCluggage said: “It was a much-improved performance from the game against Lurgan a fortnight ago. There were lots of positives and lots of things to work on. However, the team look forward to this week’s Towns’ Cup game against Omagh to see just where they are at as a team this season.”

Laurence Kelly’s side knew victory in Monaghan would be crucial in keeping the pressure on Holywood, who sit top of the league.

The atrocious weather conditions didn’t seem to bother the visitors who ran the ball at every opportunity. The back row of Wright, McCluggage and Hunter were prevalent, breaking the gain line, though final passes and lack of support meant the men in red couldn’t cross the whitewash.

Monaghan came close when they made a break and were heading for the line, only to be stopped by superb defence from Jordan Burns.

But the home team kept the pressure on, they were awarded a penalty which they converted to take a 3-0 lead.

Frustration crept in to the Larne ranks and the aggravation was leading to mistakes. However, a fortuitous handling error allowed Aaron McBride to break through from a kick to pounce on the ball over the line for a try which he converted. 
They continiued to attack and a neat move off the back of the scrum saw McIlheron make a break and pop the ball to Garrett who sprinted away for a great individual score which put Larne 12-3 to the good at the interval.

At the start of the second half Larne knew they had to get on the scoresheet first and they grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.

The line-out was working well and Crampsey was becoming a commanding presence in the loose.

As Monaghan cleared their lines, Larne’s wingers Thomas and Mills ran the ball back. They were a constant threat breaking gain line after gain line. At full-back, Garrett was striking the ball cleanly and keeping Monaghan penned deep in their half.

Larne got on the scoresheet again through McAlister after they camped themselves in the home side’s 22, following a good driving maul from a line-out.

As gaps appeared, Larne were rampaging up the muddy pitch. They spun the ball wide to loosehead prop Chris Rea who ran in for a well-taken score.

Monaghan heads began to drop and Larne began to dominate up front. After a series of scrums, McIlheron put Rhys Thomas in for a well-deserved try in the corner.

With 10 minutes remaining Larne kept the home side deep in their half with McBride controlling things with the boot. As the pressure mounted, young prop Sam McWhirter burst through a few would-be tacklers for a score which McBride converted.

As the game rumbled on, the conditions deteriorated and the final few minutes became littered with handling errors.

Larne: C Rea, R McAlister, S McWhirter, J Cole, M Crampsey, J McCluggage, G Wright, E Hunter, R McIlheron, A McBride, R Thomas, S Montgomery, J Burns, G Mills, R Garrett.