Larne welcomed Lisburn to the Glynn on Saturday afternoon for a first round Miller McCall Whyle Junior Cup match.
Report and images by Nick Murray
Playing with the wind in the first half, Larne sought to take early advantage with immediate pressure from the off, and duly took an early lead when Barry McFaul went over for the first score. Euan Glenn despatching the conversion. 7 – 0.
Just 5 minutes later and Larne go over again, when Jack Withers extends the lead, Glenn slotting over to give Larne a 14 – 0 lead after just 15 minutes. More pressure from Larne leads to a penalty and Glenn stretches his personal total to 7 points and Larne are 17 – 0 up in as many minutes.
Keeping up the score rate, a try for Matt Crampsey gives Larne a 22 – 0 lead after 22 minutes, and this threatens to be a bit of a rout.
However, after a sustained period of pressure from Lisburn, and a valiant defensive effort from Larne, Lisburn’s Will Herron eventually crosses, and with the conversion scored the visitors are into the game. 22 – 7.
Larne end the half with a second Glenn penalty to go go into half-time with a respectable 25 – 7 lead.
A quiet period immediately after the break, but Lisburn look the more determined of the two sides, and with the wind at their backs, Andy Smyth goes on a strong run down the right and goes over to calls of “pay him whatever he wants” to draw first blood in the second half to Lisburn. With the conversion missed, the gap is down to 13 points.
An unfortunate knee injury to Lisburn’s Herron sees one of their try threats leave the park. That said, only a few minutes later Josh Patterson goes over, and what seemed like the potential for an early rout, is showing signs of turning right around. The conversion sees the deficit cut to 6 points. Smyth is impressive for Lisburn, breaking several tackles in the build up to gain Lisburn some much needed ground before the score.
With less than a converted score between the sides, the next score was crucial, and it went to a now more resolute Larne side. As second try of the afternoon for McFaul saw the gap move back out to 11 points, and give Larne a bit of breathing space at 30-19.
With only a minute left on the clock, that gap proved crucial as a determined Lisburn side went over again with a try from Connor Gascoigne.
That was the end of what turned out to be a highly competitive and entertaining game, with Larne the victors at 30 – 24.
