President Eddie Briggs receives the new 3rd XV kit from Barrie Megarry and Alan Egner.
Our thanks go to kit sponsors Power NI (the new name for NIE Energy), Laverys Bar and Restaurant, Megarry Associates and The Mortgage Shop.
First XV defeat Larne
Grosvenor started this league encounter in determined fashion and immediately set about attacking Larne with a series of charges up the middle from Stoopsy, Simon and Phil. They took the lead after ten minutes with a great try for winger DJ after a neat break by Peter McKeown. There was a hint of ‘foot in touch’ but since Larne failed to provide a touch judge the referee awarded the try.
Larne fought back and scored a great try in the corner following some neat handling in their backs . After twenty minutes Larne lost a prop with an ankle injury and the scrums went uncontested. Grosvenor enjoyed most of the possession and there we some lovely line breaks by Richy Henning and Simon but they could not add to their tally. Larne on the other hand sat back and absorbed the pressure and then turned two opportunities into points when they pounced on loose balls and ran in two unconverted tries to lead 15-5 at half-time.
Grosvenor came out of the blocks fastest in the second half and Matty Little used the wind advantage well to pin Larne back in their 22. They built up pressure with a series of charges on the visitors line. Larne killed the ball at a ruck under the posts and lost a player to the bin reducing them to 13 men. Mattly Little converted the penalty, adding another five minutes later as Larne fought desperately to keep Grosvenor out. Winger DJ Jackson added another try in the corner to restore Grosvenor’s lead. Grosvenor were now playing with restored confidence and scored two more converted tries from Simon Fullerton and Peter McKeown. Larne got a consolation try in the dying minutes to leave the final score 30-20.
A great win for Grosvenor and they definitely moved the standard of performance up a notch from last week. But they cannot afford to rest on their laurels. While there were many good aspects to their play they did concede a few soft tries and squandered several scoring opportunities.
Great win for 2nds
1. Jack – Captain marvellous, really led from the front today and not only made the gain line but powered on and took some stopping (probably our standout player of the day)
2. Stevie b – although late at joining us didnt put a foot wrong, throwing into the line was exceptional today!
3. Pierce – MASSIVE, another great game and ball retaintion super – always recycles the ball when taking into contact.
4. Andy G – first man to almost every ruck on the park. really stood up when we went down to 14 players. superb around the ruck.
5. Ben C – awesome in the lineout today, great hands and even turned over a few of their lineouts.
6. Adam F – unlucky to be sent off but had a great game. some big tackles today and not afraid to get stuck in.
7. Matty D – Turnover king. Must have turned over 5 or 6 balls. a real pain in the arse for portadown around the breakdown. put his head places i wouldnt put my feet.
8. Bowmers – another outstanding game. great drive from the back of our scrum and always made the right decisions when picking and going.
9. Chubbs – controlled the game today. talking was super between backs and forwards. always looking to tap and go – raised your game today! (but dont pust their wee number 9 he doesnt like that – fruit)
10. Tree – decision making first class. cut down opposite 10s options so all he did was kick. great in defence today!
11. Jamie White – although drunk still managed to rip his opposite man to shreads down the left wing and always got the ball back on our side, gd work.
12. McConville – playing against possibly the biggest center in the world didnt give him sniff! even managed to crash it up and retain the ball well himself. good hands for our 2nd try.
13. sunno bill – not a bad ole day at the office. some great tackles on golioth and produced the moment of the match with his pass for the first try (also my most enjoyable moment ever when cheerleading their 8 after the whistle)
14. Stevie George – great finishing and rose to the mark at half time with inspirational words. kickin out of hand today surprised me plesantly….didnt no stevie had a boot.
15. Cahoon – speaking of boots….superb. good decision makin on when to run and when to kick and controlled the back 3 well.
Great victory…..
PTBAS
Proud To Be A Stag
