Victorians prove too strong for battling Larne

The writing was on the wall when, with seconds on the clock, the home side scored in the first attack of the game.

Worse was to come as Victorians continued to pile on the pressure and a fierce strike from the edge of the circle flew into the bottom corner, doubling their advantage after five minutes.

Rattled Larne dug deep but were pegged back inside their own half for much of the opening stages. And it was no real surprise when Victorians netted number three 10 minutes before the break.

Larne fought back and finished the half strongly. An aerial ball from Leigh Snoddy found its way through to Zoe Purdy but the conditions were so wet the strike on goal lacked power and the home defence cleared the danger.

As the conditions deteriorated after an even start to the second half, neither side were able to find much of a passing rhythm in the driving rain.

Victorians did find their way through on a couple of occasions, with Linley Booth in the Larne defence clearing the danger as the ball threatened to squirm over the line.

The home side upped the ante again but Larne held firm and defended well as a unit, managing to break forward on the counter attack.

A goal midway through the second session put the game out of Larne’s reach but they still found energy to push forward, trying to reduce the deficit.

Their play was rewarded with some penalty corners but Victorians were able to clear any danger and escaped with a clean sheet as a Larne shot from a tight angle clipped the near post and fell kindly to the home side.

Junior 3: There was better news for the Seconds who defeated Dromore Ladies III on a 2-1 scoreline.

After a goalless first half, it was Dromore who netted first but goals from Dee Wallace and Kerry Erskine - both set up by winger Beth McVeigh - saw Larne take maximum points. Player of the Match: Julie Moore.

Elsewhere, the Thirds lost 5-0 at Rainey II.

Fixtures: Larne v Armagh (2:30 pm); 2nd XI - away to NICS; 3rd XI - away to Harlequins.