Town finish with solid perfomance

LURGAN finished off 2011 in style with a comfortable victory against Monaghan at Pollock Park.

Although they did let the visitors in for two soft tries before the break, Lurgan were in front by 14-12 at half time with captain Scott Gardiner grabbing two tries to take his tally to nine for the season.

The rest of the points came from out half Stephen Nolan who weighed in with a second half try, three conversions and two penalties to take him up to a personal haul past 125 points to date this season.

This was a solid performace from the Pollock Park side who lost back row forward Keith McBride after only five minutes due to injury.

Lurgan now sit in second place in Kukri Qualifying Three with five wins from seven and are just one win behind leaders Randalstown with the sides still to meet in the New Year at the County Antrim venue.

In his first season as coach of Lurgan Gareth Bronte will be a happy man and will be looking forward to 2012 with his side still having plenty to offer.

First up they will be strongly tested when Ballynahinch Seconds visit Pollock Park on January 7 in the Towns’ Cup first round. They also have a home quarter final in the Gordon West Cup to look forward to in February.

It looks like the Kukri Qualiying Three title will be the closest fought for many a season with a number of teams in the mix at the halfway stage and there will be plenty of twists and turns come the end of March.