The Tata Steel sponsored Lisburn kicked off this Qualifying League 2 match but it was Carrick who gathered and immediately attacked upfield into the Lisburn half. A driving run from the visitor’s No 5 saw him offload to his No 7 who dropped the ball when he appeared to have a clear run to the line. Lisburn cleared but on 10 minutes a tap back from a Lisburn lineout was pounced on by the Carrick No7 who was stopped just short of the line. Lisburn were again able to clear the danger but Carrick were soon back on the attack and Lisburn were caught offside. Carrick took a quick penalty and gained further ground when Lisburn did not retreat 10 metres. This time Carrick kicked for touch on the 5m line, won the lineout and drove forward only to concede a turnover just short of the line. Again Lisburn were able to clear but after the first 15 minutes Carrick had all the possession and following a ruck on the Lisburn 22, Lisburn were reduced to 14 men when Barron was sin-binned. Having launched a further attack on 17 mins. Carrick spread the ball wide and breached the Lisburn line but fortunately for Lisburn the referee had spotted a forward pass and the try was disallowed. This did not deter Carrick and following a scrum just inside the Lisburn 22 they were able to feed their fly half who barged through for a try. The conversion was missed leaving the score 5-0 to Carrick. Barron returned to the fray but Carrick continued to press and only resolute defence prevented further scores. Lisburn then began to come more into the game and on 39 mins a poor pass forced Owen Hilary into hacking the ball forward; the Carrick full back knocked on and Lisburn had a scrum inside the Carrick 22. A pick up and drive led to a penalty for Lisburn which Hughes narrowly missed leaving the score on 5 nil to Carrick at half time. Whilst the majority of possession during the first period belonged to Carrick, Lisburn defended exceptionally well and began to come more into the game approaching half time.
Carrick started the second half on the offensive and on 43 minutes were awarded a penalty on the Lisburn 22 following a fine break by their scrum half. The penalty was missed and shortly afterwards they were reduced to 14 men through injury. Lisburn began to attack and a penalty opportunity on the Carrick 22 was missed. On 47 minutes Barron made ground but lost the ball in the tackle. However, it was picked up by centre Richard Kindred who evaded three tackles to score a well taken try. The conversion was missed but the teams were now level at 5-5. On 52 mins. Lisburn were again caught offside; Carrick kicked for touch, won the lineout and launched a drive up to the Lisburn line which the home team did well to repel. On 56 minutes Lisburn won another crucial turnover on their own line to clear the danger. However, Lisburn were starting to gain more possession and on 64 minutes they were awarded a penalty on the Carrick 22. Hughes took a tap penalty and fed outhalf Finlay who split the Carrick defence before passing to Gibb who crashed over for a try. The conversion was missed but Lisburn were ahead for the first time at 10-5. Lisburn were now taking the game to Carrick and winger Hilary made a fine break which was carried on by his fellow backs to bring play up to the Carrick line. Carrick were forced into touch and from the ensuing lineout prop Phil Jefferson drove over for a try. The conversion was missed but Lisburn were now 15-5 ahead. Carrick were then reduced to 13 men due to a further injury but they continued to press and only resolute Lisburn defence kept them from scoring. On 78 minutes, a break by centre Gibb was stopped just short of the line but the ball was recycled to Barron who scored from close range. This time the try was converted by Hughes to leave the score 20-5 in favour of Lisburn. In the final minute a kick ahead by Hughes was hacked on by Hilary for Hughes to gather and score. He then converted to leave the final outcome at 29-5 for Lisburn and a bonus point safe.
