Larne fight well back to win
Larne 3rds were in action at the Glynn on Saturday 11th January as they took on the challenge of Belfast Harlequins that was a highly entertaining that saw Larne win 26-22. CLICK HERE for the shotssssssssssssssssssssss
Harlequins kicked off the game and immediately Larne tore into the visitors through number 8 James McNee as he stormed up the field evading tacklers and setting a platform up for the Larne backline.
Quins immediately hit back when hard ball carrying by the forwards, were awarded a penalty at the breakdown and outhalf Johnny Watson stepped up to provide a 0-3 lead.
Follwing the penalty, Quins kept the momentum going when loose tackling from Larne allowed Johnny McEwan to score. Quins perfect start was further rewarded when Andrew Scott crossed the tryline and both conversions from Watson gave a 0-17 lead.
Determined that it was not going to be one of those days, Larne counterattacked the Quins defence through strong carries of second row Marc Gilbert and full back Cary Aston exploiting gaps and running hard. A penalty was duly converted by Hall who then followed up with a try of his own when he raced through from a short pass.
Larne’s second try came from Johnny Shirley when an overlap on his wing was created and a floated pass out to him was well taken as he crossed the whitewash bringing Larne well back into the game.
Half-time 13-17
Harlequins started the second half in similar hard fashion like the first with ball carrying and regaining the ball from the kick off, they gained territory deep into the home side but with Larne half Andrew Darragh man-handling all of the Harlequins attack they were shut down quickly.
Larne got the first score of the half through another Hall penalty to bring it 16-17, but the game opened up when veteran Stephen Marshall split the defence and Darragh receiving the final pass worked his magic as he dived over the line giving Larne the lead for the first time in the game. Conversion made by Hall.
A final penalty was slotted by Hall and as Larne looked to hold onto the lead Quins hit back through multiple phases on the Larne line that was eventually spread out wide to full back Ollie McDonald for Quines last points of the game.
Final score 26-22. Larne Man Of The Match – Andrew Darragh.
Thanks to all supporters who turned out on a cold day, but a superb game to watch as the spirited Larne side fought back from 0-17 down.
Larne: J. Butler, S. Johnston (c), D. McCann, M. Gilbert, W. Rea, S. McAlister, S. McDowell, J. McNee, A. Darragh, S. Marshall, R. Johnston, J. Hall, A. Murray, J. Shirley, C. Aston, A. Ferguson, G. Rennix, D. Robinson
Fixtures for Saturday 18th January:
Monaghan v Larne 1sts, Larne 2nds v Portadown, Malone v Larne 3rds.
