The Armagh/Monaghan combination team proved too strong for a valiant Larne side in Tuesday night’s Nutty Krust first round match started the match brightly and took an early 3-0 courtesy of a well struck penalty by out half Anton White. This proved to be their only scoring opportunity as the Armagh/Monaghan side dominated possession throughout the rest of the game.
Their out half, Lorcan Mc Gillan, levelled the scores with a penalty following a scrum infringement. In a stop start first half punctuated by lots of indiscipline by both sides Armagh/Monaghan finally scored a try just before the half time whistle. Mc Gillan added the conversion to leave Larne trailing by 10-3 at the break.
The second half was in complete contrast to the first as the Armagh/Monaghan team changed their game plan and kept the ball in hand. Their enterprise saw them totally dominate territory and possession and as the Larne side tired yawning gaps appeared in their defence which were exploited by both the Armagh/Monaghan backs and forwards as they ran in 6 fine tries in a fine display of running rugby.
The first of these came straight from the kick off with Number 8 Conleth Mc Gillan, storming deep into the Larne 22 to create a score for centre, Matthew Campbell. Once again out half Mc Gillan added the extra points. From the restart Larne were once again under pressure as the Armagh/Monaghan forwards regained possession and took play to the Larne 22 where that man, Conleth Mc Gillan once again crashed through weak tackling to score in the corner. Out half Mc Gillan, who was having a fine evening so far off the tee, added the extra points with an excellent touchline conversion.
Larne were unable to gain any worthwhile possession and once again they were under pressure from a poor kick off as this time it was the Armagh/Monaghan’s backs turn to demonstrate their running and handling ability which led to a try for wing Chris Mc Phillips. A tiring and dispirited Larne team were shown no mercy by the Armagh/Monaghan side as further tries were added by centre Matthew Campbell, out half Lorcan Mc Gillan and the try of the match by No 8, and Man of the Match, Conleth Mc Gillan who when scoring previously showed his strength but this time he showed great running skills as he side stepped his way through a weary Larne defence to leave Larne as 44-3 losers on the night.
Larne’s Number 8 Billy Brown had an excellent match for the losers whilst the winners were well served by captain and tight head prop, James Putthaaree,centre Matthew Campbell and the two Mc Gillan boys-out half Lorcan and number 8 Conleth.
Armagh/Monaghan go through to face the winners of Wednesday night’s clash between Dundalk and Instonians on 12 April at Chambers Park
