Injuries and call ups to the Civil Service (NI) RFC 1st XV, who had traveled play in Cavan meant that a lot of new faces where drafted in. There was a Service club debut for George Brown and first league appearances for coach Marty McGuigan, Phil Watson and Michael Heath. For Larne 3s this game came on the back of a 5 match winning streak that had seen them take the scalps of the PSNI , Queens and Grosvenor.
With so many changes to personnel Service struggled to really get any momentum going in the early exchanges, with the absences of their captain, Greg Brown, and pack leader Stewart Ferguson possibly accounting for the lack of drive. The Service players worked hard but with a number of people out of positions and with the new faces it was always going to be a tough ask against a talented Larne team, especially in the backs.
Service Centre Danny Ansell acquitted himself well, his darting runs were a constant threat to Larne as were his crash balls and he put in in some vital tackles in defence. He was unfortunate to miss two kicks at goal with Dan Cartland adding to some poor kicks by Service when he also missed in the first half. As it was Larne put their penalty kick over before some weak Service tackling let them in to score a try which was well converted. A second try was added before half time after a great running moves by their backs. Some good work followed by Service and they had a couple of opportunities to score ourselves, with a cruel bounce denying Neil Palmer a certain try and Dan Cartland being held up centimetres from the Larne line. As Service pressure mounted some strong defence from Larne meant half time came with the scores at 17- 0o the visitors.
[youtube SsWO3wiTPjM]
The second half kicked off with Service utility back Rab Snodden taking the ball well from Larnes kick off, he did well to retain possession despite being tackled by 4 oncoming Larne players. Some more good work from Service put Larne under pressure in their 22 and they very nearly scored a try when the Service Winger saw the white of the line only to have the ball knocked out of his hands by some desperate Larne defence. Again though electing to go for a try instead of taking the points saw Service come away with nothing and it was Larne who were able to put some good phases together and a bullet pass from their out half saw them score again and convert to put them 24- 0 up.
The remainder of the game was played just in side the Larne half with their experianced forwards able to absorb repeated Service attacks .Service grew in confidence and there was much better tackling and some great counter rucking play by the pack who had drafted in some aditional “height” at second row ( Service player manager Aaron Thompson) while Rab Snodden fought on bravely after moving to flanker. Both were unfamiliar positions to these guys and at 5’8 regular Scrum Half Aaron Thompson must be a candidate for shortest second row in the league.
For the last 20 minutes the Service forwards let by Marty Mcguigan and Robin Flemming pinned Larne back in their own half with in the backs Neil Palmer was putting in clever kicks over their defensive lines with George and Brett almost taking advantage but the Larne backs were too well organised to get caught out and repulsed various Service attacks until the final whistle.
Service Man of the match: Danny Ansell- some big tackles when needed and never hid, taking crash balls in repeatedly despite an injured wrist. Honourable mention to Rab Snodden who also played on while injured and Robin Flemming who was fantatsic in the loose.
Larne man of the Match : Easily their Fly Half whos running kicking and tackling was the difference between the two sides.
In Touch would once again like to thank regular contributor Linzey Grierson who supplied photos and video of the game.
