Larne maintain perfect cup record

Larne 20

LARNE First XV maintained their one hundred per cent record in this year’s Gordon West Cup with the weekend win over Holywood.

There were a few changes from the heavy defeat suffered at the hands of Donaghadee the previous week. Ricky McIlheron moved to scrum half with Ryan Garrett moving to fly half. Johnny Hall came into centre and coach Gareth Kennedy was drafted in as a late call up to the wing. In the pack Craig Gibson and Thomas Boyd were brought in.

Larne started with the greater urgency and harrowing pressure from Tom Boyd on the Holywood outhalf saw him fumble which Larne nearly capitalised on within the first few minutes. However, Larne kept their opponents camped in their own 22. A quick tapped penalty by McIlheron to McCluggage saw Larne set up a ruck. A fast ball for Garrett followed who drew his last man to pass to Kennedy who scored in the corner within 10 mins of his debut. Garrett, however, could not gain more points from the conversion.

Larne continued to dominate in the pack and there was strong running by Crampsey and McFetridge and crunching tackling by open side flanker Boyd on Holywood’s outhalf and two centres. However, a lapse in concentration allowed Holywood to take over and they gained a lineout within the Larne 22. The quick lineout off the top saw them set up a move but they were held up just before the line. However, a pick and drive off the second ruck allowed their second row to score against very soft Larne defence. The conversion was slotted.

The Larne men did not allow this score to annoy them and they continued to control the game. The pack began to dominate the scrums and lineouts on both their own and defensive ball. Quick ball again allowed Garrett to pass the ball along the back line. Marshall again came into the line drew his last man passed to Scott Montgomery who ran into the corner and score. The conversion was missed.

Another lapse in concentration by the Larne team allowed the Holywood team to gain control. A penalty was awarded to the Holywood side on the Larne 10 metre line which the Holywood full back coolly slotted over to make the scores 10 each at the break.

Despite having good possession in the opening exchanges of the second period, handling errors by Larne cost them the chance of regaining the lead until they were awarded another penalty which Gareth Kennedy slotted over the posts.

Larne then lost second row Hunter to a shoulder injury. However, they did not allow the numerical disadvantage disrupt their play. Good interplay by Steven Knox and Ricky McIlheron saw Crampsey make a good break. He offloaded to McCluggage who burst through the back line he rounded the number opposition full back passing to Gareth Kennedy who drew the last man to pass to outside centre Johnny Hall who powered over for the score. Kennedy slotted the conversion.

Holywood continued to apply pressure but, thumping hits, most notably by Boyd, disrupted any attack they made. However, in the final minute of play continual infringements by the Larne team saw the Holwood side gain possession. They made their numerical advantage count by throwing the ball out wide to score in the corner. The conversion was slotted over and the referee blew his whistle. The final score 20-17 to Larne.

Larne Team (1-15) D Hagans, C Gibson, M McMullan, E Hunter, J McFetridge (Capt), M Crampsey, T Boyd, J McCluggage, R McIlheron, R Garrett, G Kennedy, S Knox, J Hall, S Montgomery, S Marshall.