The u18s made the journey today to Glynn, seeking to avenge their earlier defeat this season at the hands of Larne.

Things didn’t start well when Andrew “Random” Rourke arrived late having made a detour enroute to collect his One Direction tickets. Worse still, he was empty handed.

A strange game today with the first 8 minutes spent in and around the half way line. Perhaps the referee had dropped something and was looking for it, we weren’t sure.

It was windy in Glynn and Service played into the gale in the first half. Not surprisingly Larne piled on the pressure and pressed on the Service line. Defence held firm until the 13th minute for Larne to take the lead 5-0. The team talked behind the posts about how important it was to get straight back into the game and so they did. Right from the re-start Adam Wirght placed a neat high ball for Matt Wilson to gather and carry forward. The ball moved swiftly between the forwards, like a herd of wilder beast, galloping towards the Larne line. The scribe is reasonably sure the home team did not touch the ball from that restart until after Service had drawn level within a minute – a dive across the line by Kyle “the Enforcer” Cornelius – his first ever score for the visitors. In the conditions it was no surprise Adam missed the conversion. 5-5.

The next 10 minutes were fairly even, half-time was imminent and even score at the break would have been a great achievement. Alas Larne scored on the 28th minute after their no.10 danced through the Service defence with too many tackles missed dazzled by his swiftness of movement. Conversion missed, Larne 10, Civil Service 5.

Service went back up into Larne half on the attack and after 5 minutes quick thinking by Jack McDowell saw him cross the line under the posts. Adam added the conversion. Larne 10, Civil Service 12.

Half time whistle blown. Service turned around with the wind on their backs and now playing down the hill with a 2 point lead. A superb effort in the first half against so many obstacles. The key now was to build on this.

Service used the wind to their advantage, kicking when it made sense, and keeping the ball in hand too. On 9 minutes Chris Stone single handedly dragged half the Larne pack on his back over the line to stretch the lead to 7 points followed by Adam adding the conversion. Larne 10, Civil Service 19.

Strategy at this point was to keep doing more of the same and go get another score. For reasons unclear the visitors again permitted the home team no.10 to run half the length of the pitch untouched and despite valiant efforts by the visitors final line of defence he crossed to reduce the margin to 4 points. Larne 15, Civil Service 19.

It would be true to say a little self doubt temporarily crept in but a rousing team talk set any daemons to rest and Service stepped up a gear.

Two minutes later Andrew Lilburn showed the Larne no.10 he could run the distance too after breaching their defence and crossing the try line having run from the half way. Adam added the conversion. Larne 15, Civil Service 26.

A little argy bargy shortly followed when 1 of the home side forwards took exception to our own no.10. Kyle “the Enforcer” Cornelius stepped in for his buddy and along with the Larne player collected a yellow card for his troubles – his first ever one of these too. To his credit he took the punishment in better spirits than the home player who suggested to the Service coaches they should try some gymnastics.

Not to be distracted Service built on their lead with another try, this time by Mat Wilson on 25 minutes, Adam added the conversion.

Final Score Larne U18 15, Civil Service U18 33.

Credit to Larne for playing good rugby in the conditions, credit to our guys for matching Larne and stepping up the pace and intensity. No shortage of skill and commitment on show.

5 tries by 5 different players, a good team effort. A number of close calls too that weren’t awarded.

Special mention to Chris Gardiner who looked as though he might be ill at any moment but still managed to play out the whole game and make a big nuisance of himself to the Larne defence.

Civil Service (NI) RFC

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