Larne U18 met Donaghadee U18 last night in an friendly, played at the Maynard Sinclair Playing Fields, Stormont with Larne edging the entertaining match 36 – 31.

A warm, dry, and, at times, sunny evening was the perfect recipe for running rugby and both teams served up a thriller.

Larne went into the lead following a Callum Adair unconverted try on 7 minutes, followed by a Mark Andrews try from an interception, after 16 minutes, converted by Robin Wynn.

Not to be outdone Dee responded with unconverted tries by Jordan Croft and Lucas Henry on 20 minutes and 30 minutes respectively.

The game was now finely poised with Larne leading 12 – 10. An unconverted Jack Moore try minutes later increased Larne’s lead but a Dee blitz saw them score twice in a 2 minute period before the half time whistle. First Nathan Boyd touched down then Croft scored. Both were converted by Henry to leave Dee leading 24-17 at half time.

The 2nd half was barely a minute old when Larne’s Jack Wallace dived over close to the posts for a try converted by Wynn to bring the sides level at 24-24.

There was a lull in the scoring before Larne restored their lead with an unconverted try. Dee attacked from the subsequent kick off and Boyd scored his 2nd try, converted by Henry to restore Dee’s lead, after 60 minutes.

A Larne attack was held up close to the line, Dee were penalised and from the short penalty David Linn crashed over midway out. Wynn’s conversion completed the scoring, giving Larne a 36-31 victory.

Both teams and coaches should be congratulated on a great game of rugby.

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