The Front Row Union Sport - Gordon West Cup: Larne 62 Lurgan 12

Larne 1st XV cruised through to the semi finals of the Gordon West Cup with a comfortable 62 – 12 win over visitors Lurgan on Saturday afternoon at the Glynn.

The home side got on the score sheet early with a try through winger Michael Agnew. Out half Ryan Garrett kicked off his afternoon with a conversion and Larne led 7 – 0.

Shortly after, grizzly James McCluggage barged over for his first try of the afternoon, with Garrett again adding the extras, taking the score to 14 – 0. McCluggage continued his one man rampage with his second try and with Garrett again converting, Larne were cruising along with the score at 21 -0.

Garrett got in on the try scoring act before half time dotting down close to the posts only to push the conversion wide leaving the half time score as Larne 26 Lurgan 0.

McCluggage bagged his third try at the start of the second half with Garret again converting and shortly after the Larne out half bagged his second try, which he converted, to take the score to Larne 40 Lurgan 0.

Things finally clicked for Lurgan and they managed a well worked try from fullback Richard Clarke who touched down out wide. The conversion was missed but the visitors were relieved to be troubling the scoreboard which now read 40 – 5.

Larne added two more unconverted tries with Garret crossing for his third of the afternoon closely followed by Agnew for his second and fellow winger Reece Thomas capped a fine personal performance with a try of his own. None were converted with the score moving to 55 – 5.

Lurgan brought on reserves Graham Cousins and Jason Kane and the fresh legs pushed the visitors deep into the Larne half where they got their reward with a try from centre Grant Martin which was converted by scrum half Steven Nolan taking the score to 55 -12.

Larne had the final say with a try from hard working centre Mark Magill, converted by Garrett, taking the final score to Larne 62 Lurgan 12.

Larne now face Monaghan at home in the semi final on 19th March. The other semi final will be between Letterkenny and PSNI, to be played on the same date.

Larne: Mark McMullan, Craig Gibson, Danny Hagan, Daniel Garston, Johnny McFetridge, Eddie Hunter, Gareth Wright, James McCluggage, Ricky McIlheron, Ryan Garrett, Michael Agnew, Gary Mills, Reece Thomas, Stephen Marshal, Mark McIlheron, Wes Milligan.

Lurgan: TBA