v’s Larne
Carrick lose...
The Maxol-sponsored Carrick 1st XV went out of the Towns' Cup in the first round
when they were beaten by 22 points to 10 by Larne at the Glynn on Saturday 12 December.
Although Carrick had to field an under-strength side, Larne produced a much better
performance than in the League encounters, both of which were won comfortably by
Carrick, between the two sides. The home side were deserved winners and, apart from
two ten minute spells in either half, dominated territory throughout. Carrick fought
hard all the way and restricted Larne to just one try but, with a re-jigged back-line
and their pack under pressure in the scrum, they were always on the back foot. That
said, Glen Picken, the regular scrum-half, did well in his unaccustomed role at out-half
and Chris Wallace, making his debut at scrum-half put in a creditable performance.
The only area where Larne did have trouble was in the line-out where McCracken and
Kincaid as usual made life difficult for the oppposing hooker on his own throw. The
defence was solid throughout but Carrick lost essentially because they were kept
under intense pressure, forced to play most of the second half in their own territory
and, in the last ten minutes, conceded the penalties which gave Larne their twelve
point winning margin.
The home side started well and went three points up after two minutes when they kicked
the first of their five penalties. However, after ten minutes or so Carrick had one
of their two spells of territorial dominance and were rewarded after fifteen minutes
with a try by Glen Picken. The attack was initiated by the pack picking and driving
and then, following quick ruck ball, they moved the point of attack and Paul McIlrath
made ground before passing to Picken who stepped the defence nicely to score under
the posts. The out-half added the conversion points himself. The lead was short-lived
because just after the re-start a Carrick kick was charged down and the Larne out-half
gathered and raced forty metres to score under the posts. The try was converted to
give Larne a 10 points to 7 lead. The home side then gradually began to take control,
territorially at least, although it was not until the thirty-seventh minute that
they extended their lead with another successful penalty kick. Carrick did strike
back quickly with another spell of pick and drive by the forwards; this resulted
in a penalty which Glen Picken converted to leave the half-time score at 13 points
to 10 in Larne's favour.
The second half was dominated by Larne who were able to keep Carrick penned in their
own half for most of the time, apart from a ten minute period in the middle of the
half during which Carrick were unable to extract any reward in terms of points. Larne's
territorial, and, by now possession, dominance told in the last ten minutes when
they converted three penalty kicks in an eight minute spell and in the end ran out
comfortable winners.
Carrick will be hoping for the return of some absentees,and an improved performance
on Saturday 19 January when they entertain Belfast High School FP at Woodlawn in
the League.
The Carrick team against Larne was:
J. Sheriff; P. Saberton, K. Quinn, R. Hawkins, D. Crothers; G. Picken, C. Wallace;
D. McKeen, G. Baxter, P. Greenaway, T. McCracken, A. Kincaid(S. Brazier/J. McGrillis),
M. Nugent, r. Higgins, P. McIlrath(Capt).
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