Main picture is actually Larne Grammar side from 72/73
Larne Grammar 1972/73.
Back Row from left to right: Mr Stewart(Headmaster), Paul Montgomery, ?, Tim or Andrew Hailey(one of twins possibly from Jordanstown), ? Gardiner, D Ross, Ian Cameron, Tim or Andrew Hailey(the other twin!), Ronnie Boyd, Mr Allen.
Front Row from left to right: Jim Finlay, Brian Greenwood, Irwin Anderson, Martin Howe, Philip Ferguson, Fran Murphy, John Murphy.
Larne ease through to semi finals of Gordon West Cup
Larne kept up the momentum this season with a comfortable victory over PSNI.
The game was well supported with a large turnout to the pre match function which was kindly sponsored by Ross Thompson and Steven Knox.
After not playing for almost 3 weeks due to the weather the Larne team knew that rustiness could be a problem due to the lack of rugby.
PSNI, meanwhile, came into the game with a changed side from that played Larne earlier in the season.
They looked intent on spoiling their hosts’ party early on, dominating the opening 10 minutes and were unfortunate not to be 3-0 in front when they missed a kick in front of the posts.
Larne were knocked into gear by this early setback, coming close on numerous occasions however the final pass would not go to hand.
A combination of simple errors and excellent PSNI defending kept them out until the immense pressure finally told as Wright, took an off load from Andrews to drive over the line. Andrews converted. Larne continued to attack and as Houston Saunderson ran deep in to the PSNI half the ball was spread wide which saw Garrett throw a miss pass out to Burns who ran over for a score. Andrews converted.
Garrett was next on the score sheet when he broke through the PSNI defence to go in for a score.
Larne then brought on their two replacements Smyth and Hall. Smyth made an instant impression hitting a beautiful line off Ricky McIlheron to break through the PSNI defence to score. Andrews converted.
As the flood gates opened Mark McIlheron and man of the match eddie hunter barged over for two tries.
The next two scores were well taken by Jordan Burns who completed his hattrick. The first score was a well weighted chip through by Andrews that he outpaced the PSNI fullback to touch down. His final try was the pick of the scores when Garrett hit a cross field kick which winger Kelso latched on to. As he was hauled down just before the line he off loaded to the hat trick hero Burns.
With only a few minutes remaining the tired legs were evident on both sides with the soft ground sapping the players energy. Good blitz defence by Larne saw Gibson intercept a PSNI pass to run in from close range. As Andrews slotted over the conversion the referee blew the final whistle.
Larne ran out winners 59-7.
It was a rusty first half by the Larne men which was expected after no rugby for 3 weeks. However they were pleased at how the set piece went dominating the line outs and scrums the entire game.
The team kicked in to gear at the start of the second half and took control to go out of sight despite the PSNI crossing the whitewash midway through the second half.
Wright and Hunter were impressive throughout covering a vast amount of ground in both attack and defence. It was a much needed run out for what is the teams most important game of the season next week against Holywood at the Glynn.
The team ask for as much support as possible to come out and cheer them on.
Larne: C Gibson, G Wright, C Rea, M Crampsey, J McCluggage (Capt), R McAlister, M McIlheron, E Hunter, R McIlheron, P Andrews, N Kelso, S Montgomery, J Burns, H Saunderson, R Garrett. Subs:S Smyth and J Hall
Fine performance by Larne 3rds
On Saturday 22nd February Larne 3rds took on Rainey at the Glynn, winning 48-0 in the quarter finals of the Butler Shield.
Once, twice, three times a reschedule; Larne had waited almost a month for the weather to allow this fixture to go ahead. When the time came the 18 Glynn men faced 14 Rainey Old Boys.
With the semi-final spot firmly in mind Larne started hard and fast, pounding the Rainey defence mercilessly with the strength of Gilbert, Rea and ex-Old Boy McCann, forcing their way deep into the opposition’s end.
A quick back move and a delightful line by McKinty saw him explode through the middle and score under the posts, leaving two battered centers to pick themselves up.
The first half continued much in the same vein as Larne used the extra man to thwart any opposition attack and to press home their own attacking advantage. With Captain Agnew, at fullback, marshalling the Glynn forces to enact his diabolical scoring plans Larne soon added another with the pack mauling towards the line and birthday boy S. Johnston (25) driving Hagans over the line.
Rainey regularly proved a thorn in the home side however, quick penalties and faster reactions at the break down caused havoc in the Larne defence but they couldn’t capitalise.
McKinty added two more tries to his repertoire, the first an exquisite grubber kick from Knox for McKinty to chase into the corner and the second a close range interception.
Shirley and Agnew rounded out the scoring for the first half each scoring on either wing after the ball was spread wide.
Larne came out in the second half intent on making it a copy of the first, Rennix and Railton replacing wingers Shirley and R. Johnston. More great tackling from McNee, McAllister and McDowell forced Rainey into kicking to try and relieve pressure.
But Agnew shepherded the defenders expertly causing an overlap on the right and when Larne recovered the ball Railton sprinted for the corner flag to score his first try on his cup debut. Soon after, he added his second.Larne forwards mounted even more pressure on Rainey and combined with intricate back play resulted in Railton crossing the line again.
In the ferocity of the Larne attack one of the Rainey squad was injured and was unable to continue. Rather than continue to play with a two man deficit both Captains agreed to call the game after 50 minutes. Larne claimed the 48-0 victory with 8 tries and 4 conversions.
Larne take one step closer to the final with a great squad who should be proud of their performance. Lots of good rugby played on both sides.
Line-up: D. Hagans, S. Johnston, D. McCann, M. Gilbert, W. Rea, S. McAllister, S. McDowell, J. McNee, B. Garrett, G. Knox, J. Shirley, C. McKintey, A. Murray, M. Agnew, R. Jones, G. Rennix, I. Railton
