Larne GS travelled to Shaw’s Bridge yesterday to play Our Lady and St Pats, Knock in a Semi Final Tie in the Danske Bank Schools Trophy. A breeze blew across the pitch and the sun shone, but one should not equate sunshine with warmth!

Report and pictures courtesy of Bob Given Photography

Larne kicked off and immediately pressed the St Pats defence into conceding a try, scored by Steven Dickey, converted by Euan Glenn, after 4 minutes.

Larne continued to dominate and were rewarded with an unconverted try by Jack Moore on 7 minutes.

St Pats gained some territory and possession and forced Larne into conceding a penalty, which was converted by Thomas McDevitt to bring the score to 12 – 3 in Larne’s favour.

Play moved back and forth between the ’22s’, before Caelan Campbell scored for Larne, beside the posts. Glenn converted to give Larne 19 -3 lead.

Though Larne continued to press, there were no further scores in the first half.

Pressure, territory and possession told a tale in the second half with St Pats conceding 4 tries, on 8 minutes, by Glenn, on 18 minutes, by Jack Withers, on 23 minutes by Tre Britton and finally on 35 minutes by Dickey. Two were converted by Glenn and Robin Wynn to leave Larne with a convincing 45 – 3 victory.

The scoreline does not reflect the determination of St Pats, who battled to the end. Larne now look forward to the Trophy Final against Dungannon Royal School.

GALLEY BELOW