AMNEXDAY sponsored Larne 1st XV travelled to Omagh on Saturday to play in the 2nd round of the Towns Cup.
The men from the Glynn knew that it would be a tough game playing against a team sitting second in Qualifying 2.
After the long journey the team had travelled through treacherous rain however when they reached Omagh the weather had improved. However, the playing conditions were soft underfoot and almost unplayable in parts.
Larne played with the wind in the first half and knew they had to make the most of the elements for the first 40 mins. The Larne men went on the offensive right away. Garrett and Andrews kicked deep and pinned the Omagh side deep in to the wettest part of the pitch.
It took a great effort from the home side to get out of this area of the pitch. With the wind blowing lineouts were a problem for both sides. Crampsey however was revelling in the conditions and really making his presence felt.
Larne were awarded a number of penalties that Andrews opted to have a shot at. However he was unlucky with the first three. In the remainder of the first half Omagh cleared their lines only for Larne to run the ball back.
eddie hunter and Jonny Cole rumbled the ball forward. The Larne scrum remained strong with Lough, Mc Alister and McWhirter remaining strong against their experienced opposition. As Larne kept the pressure on they were rewarded a penalty in front of the posts that Andrews slotted over. As Omagh came back in to the game strong defence most notably by Wright and Kelso kept the home side in their own half.
At half time Larne led 3-0.
The Larne team knew that the game was in their hands however it would be tough whilst playing in to the wind and having to defend in the worst part of the pitch. The young Larne side showed a great deal of maturity and played very smart rugby. Garrett and Andrews cleared their lines with the use of their big boots.
However, it was very difficult to get out of the area of the pitch that resembled a bog. As the Larne men got involved in a dog fight in this area of the pitch, Omagh applied a serious amount of pressure. After a series of lineouts and scrums the referee became increasing frustrated with the Larne penalty count.
After a penalty from a scrum on the Larne 5 metre line a resulting penalty from the next scrum saw the referee award a penalty try to the Omagh team. The conversion was slotted over. Those watching would have believed that the Larne heads would have dropped and that this was the turning point in the game. However, this was not to be.
Larne brought both subs Jamison and McBride on with McAlister and Montgomery having to leave the field of play with arm injuries.
The Larne pack fronted up and made the hard yards. Scrum half McIlheron was sniping and making breaks. Neat handling across the backs saw Garrett put Kelso clear who was just tackled short of the line. As Larne kept the pressure on the Omagh line, eddie hunter ran the best running line of the season and took a beautiful inside pass from McIlheron to bulldoze over the line for a score. As the Omagh crowd went in to a stunned silence there were roars from the travelling Larne support. Andrews slotted over the conversion.
The Larne men fielded the territory and came back at the Omagh side. As the skies darkened and the conditions worsened Larne continued on the attack. Jordan Burns made a telling break making yards up the pitch. Larne clamped themselves in the Omagh half, however the men in red wasted possession and Omagh were able to clear their lines.
Within a matter of seconds Larne were on the back foot and clamped again deep in their own half. The back three of Garrett, Kelso and Saunderson remained secure. The Co Tyrone men piled on the pressure.
With 8 minutes remaining they were rewarded another scrum in the Larne 22. The ref penalised the Larne pack for illegally breaking. Omagh went for the option for another scrum. As the Omagh pack drove the Larne scrum back the ball looked as if it had lost control. However, the referee made a controversial decision of awarding a penalty try.
The Larne team were devastated by the verdict that on another day could have gone in their favour. With only 5 minutes remaining the Larne team went on the counter attack for another score. However, as the Larne team lost control of the ball Omagh kicked the ball deep pinning the East Antrim men in the gutters. As they piled the pressure on they snuck up the blindside for a score.
The final score 19-10.
A solid team performance by the Larne men in what was atrocious playing conditions. They were the dominant side for a large part of the game.
However, key decisions went against them along with a lack of composure at times. With this in to consideration the outcome could have been different.
It was pleasing to see the new faces Nick Kelso, Houston Saunderson and Derek Lough all having good games showing the strength and depth the club has this season and the selection dilemma they have for next week’s game against Newry.
Larne Team 1-15: D Lough, R McAlister, S McWhirter, J Cole, M Crampsey, J McCluggage (c), G Wright, E Hunter, R McIlheron, P Andrews, N Kelso, S Montgomery, J Burns, H Saunderson, R Garrett, G Jamison, A McBride
