Having been well beaten by Larne on two occasions this season the home team were expecting a difficult game at Neillsbrook on Saturday. Watched by a large crowd the game started with Larne on the attack and after a few minutes the visitors were awarded a penalty in front of the posts, and a simple kick gave them a 3-0 lead. After a further period of Larne domination Randalstown were forced back into their 22 and a swift move by the Larne backs gave them the simplest of tries to stretch their lead to 8-0 after 15 minutes.
At this stage Randalstown began to come back into the game and a Ryan Wilson penalty reduced the arrears. Two further chances to close the gap went begging however.
A quick Larne throw in and a lapse of concentration by Randalstown resulted in a second Larne try. With the score at 3-13 to the visitors, it was starting to look a bit ominous for Randalstown and Larne increased their lead with a further penalty and a try before half time, a lead that was well deserved.
At half time Mike Stevenson the Randalstown coach was able to motivate his team and when the second half began we saw what the home team are capable of. For long periods they were deep in Larne territory but despite great play by birthday boy Dan Wilson and young Liam Hurrell Randalstown were unable to breach the Larne line.
After 15 minutes of constant pressure Dan Wilson tunnelled over in the corner for a try which Ryan Wilson converted. A great move in the backs released William Montgomery to race over for a second Randalstown try which Ryan Wilson converted, and the crowd were being entertained by some fine rugby from both sides.
Having reduced the deficit to 17 – 21 Randalstown continued to press and it was no suprise when Larne conceded a penalty which Wilson converted to narrow the gap to a mere point.
Laverty and Montgomery were as hard working as ever in the centre and both made useful breaks only to be called back by the referee. Larne managed one last effort and when they were awarded a penalty near the Randalstown posts their supporters were relieved to see their team take a 3 point lead 24-21.
It is difficult to pick out players from this outstanding game but special mention needs to made of Ben Hamilton who had a great debut on the 1ST XV . Coach Stevenson was pleased by the team’s efforts and has high hopes of success in next weeks Gordon West quarter final against PSNI.
C Coulter, R McGarry , W Montgomery, P Lavery, B McGarry, R Wilson, A Boyd, N Foster,S Finlay, B Hamilton, M Allen, S Hyndman, G Hume, L Hurrell, D Wilson
Randalstown 3rd XV 22 Larne 3rd XV 10
For the first time this century a senior team took to the pitch at the newly reinstated Dunmore Park and were fittingly captained for the day by the veteran Tommy Devlin the only player on the pitch to ever have played there before.
The thirds, who have been on a fine run lately returning 6 wins in the last 8 games drew on the ghosts of games past at Dunmore to bring their record to 7 wins in 9. Indeed the last loss came against today’s visitors who have also been on a good run of 8 or 9 games with only 1 loss. However the thirds had a point to prove as they had let themselves down in the reverse fixture but were in no mood to do the same today.
In a very tight first half full of mistakes it was Larne who grabbed the initiative to score and convert the first try, Town then fought back through the rampaging Fergal McConnon who barged his way over the line to score, he has now scored a try in each of the last 3 games, Service added the conversion to leave the game evenly balanced at 7-7 at half time.
Manager Tommy McCann made 3 changes at half time bringing in Matty Turner, Kenny Pollin and Nathan Hodge which gave Town the fresh legs and impetus that they required and slowly but surely they started to take control of the game.
Town recorded the first score of the half when Service converted a difficult penalty to go 10-7 up. Now firmly in command and with Kenny Pollin exploding from the base of scrums ‘Town drove towards the line again and again and eventually breeched the defence, Nial McGlade getting the touchdown. The conversion was missed.
Larne narrowed the gap with a penalty but the ‘Town buoyed with confidence after some fine defence continued to pressurise their opponents until McGlade again weaved his way through to score under the posts leaving Service an easy conversion. Town now led 22-10 and the game petered out after the ref yellow carded a player from either side for bringing their handbags onto the pitch.
Manager McCann was again delighted by the team effort, and he knows that they will need to replicate this performance in the coming games against Queens and league leaders Carrick.
Team :- P Morriss, R Duncan, M Mulholland, N McGlade, I Harrison, P McCann, A Service, M Reeves, J Pedlow, T Devlin, F McConnon, G Rodgers, M Savage, D Asquith, A McClenaghan.
Subs :- M Turner, K Pollin, N Hodge.
