RUGBY: Under-15s lose out to Carrick

Larne defended manfully at the start, but Carrick took the lead before the outstanding Ally Burke replied with a typically powerful run for a try which he also converted. Again, Carrick replied taking advantage of some weak tackling to move 12-7 ahead at the interval.

Larne started the second-half brightly and drew level as Luke Burford took a short tap-penalty before splitting the home defence for another try to add to his impressive record.

Carrick again regained the lead, but it was Burford who went on another charge before offloading to impressive scrum-half Andrew Coupland, who ran in from 25 metres for another try which Burke converted.

Carrick, having been pegged back three times, introduced a few replacements and ran away with things in the last five minutes, scoring four unanswered tries to give them a 43-19 victory.

Training continues at Larne from 6.30pm to 7.45pm each Thursday for everyone in Years 8 to 12. The Under-19s train each Tuesday and Thursday from 7.30pm to 9pm.

The Under-15s are organising some fund-raisers for a new kit and would welcome any prospective sponsors to assist.