Confidence boost as Carrick see off Randalstown

The men in red got off to a strong start at Neilsbrook, when after good work from Curtis Rea at the line-out, Neil Hanna crossed the whitewash to land the opening try of the afternoon.

Carrick created numerous opportunities and with better hands or a little more patience, they could have easily opened up more scoring chances.

As time passed Carrick’s dominance at the scrum was beginning to tell and they gradually kept the Antrim side under pressure for the majority of the half.

However, indiscipline at the breakdown in the 23rd minute resulted in a quick tap penalty in which two offloads where completed and a Randalstown winger coasted under the sticks for a try which was easily converted.

The Carrick response came courtesy of Luke Whittal’s 27th-minute penalty and six more points, via two further penalties, came from his trusty kicking to give his side a 14-7 advantage at the interval.

On the hour, the home side were reduced to 10 men after a high tackle on Jonny Cullen. With numerical superiority, open-side flanker Ross Crymble went over for a converted try.

Number eight Rea added another score (unconverted) to make it 26-7, and the bonus point came when Aaron McKinney touched down in the corner, with Whittal adding the extras.

Warren McClean’s men face Lisburn at home on Saturday (2:30 pm).