Larne RFC held on to secure a 22 – 17 win against a determined Lurgan in the Towns Cup at the Glynn on Saturday afternoon.

Ryan McAlister scored two first half tries for the home side with Ryan Garrett adding a third in the second half. Philip Andrews chipped in with two conversions and a last minute penalty to secure the game.

Having beaten the visitors twice already this season the odds were on a home win and it looked to be heading that way as Larne went into a 14 – 0 lead thanks to two tries from their young blindside lanker Ryan McAlister, both converted by out-half Philip Andrews.

Larne looked to be well on top and with full back Ryan Garrett creating havoc in the Lurgan defence a big win for the East Antrim side looked on the cards.

Lurgan had other ideas and, rather like Munster against Ulster the night before, their pack gave them a way back into the match with a drive over try with ten minutes to go before the break.

The visitors followed that up with a second try just before half time and, with both tries converted, the teams turned round all square at 14 – 14,

The second half turned into a dog fight in the middle of the pitch.

Larne rallied sufficiently to send Garrett over for their third try to take the score to 19 – 14 but the visitors hit back with a penalty to reduce the lead to two points.

As the tension mounted, both teams reverted to kicking for territory in a scrappy second half. Lurgan missed a couple of opportunities to take the lead before a last minute penalty from Andrews secured the game for Larne.

Final Score: Larne 22 Lurgan 17. 

Larne: C Rea, G Wright, S McWhirter, M Crampsea, J McCluggage, R McAlister, G Jameson, E Hunter, R McIlheron, P Andrews, N Kelso, R Thomas, J Burns, M Agnew, R Garrett, J Cole, A McBride.

It’s always good to return to the Glynn but the drab aul day didn’t help with the photos with most of them ending up a bit washed out.

There are a couple of cameo photos from Larne IIs v Civil Service at the end!