An early kick-off at 1000 on Saturday morning in Carrickfergus, saw Carrick Grammar take on Lurgan College in a senior friendly match ahead on next weekend’s Schools Cup qualifying games.
Early possession saw the home team with most of the ball and eventually the first try came after 14 minutes, when Justin Irwin went over to give the home team a deserved lead. 5-0
A failure to deal with a ball in-goal saw Lurgan’s quick-thinking Adam Ewart reach through a couple of Carrick players and touch down for an opportune score to level at 5-a-piece. Ben Maxwell’s conversion attempt hit the post. 5-5
With the away team now having more momentum, Craig Hibble went over just after the half hour and Ben Maxwell kept his kick between the posts this time to give Lurgan a 7 point lead. 5-12
HALF-TIME
It was well into the 3rd quarter before the home team managed to get themselves back into it when Ellis Branagh went over. His own attempt at the conversion wasn’t as sweet as some of his kicking to touch, so the away team maintained a slim advantage at 10-12.
A penalty shortly afterwards (which had to be re-taken due to too much movement by Lurgan during the first attempt) gave Carrick the chance to take the lead, but hit the post and glanced away.
This opportunity missed seemed to spur young Branagh on, and he played with added determination going into the final quarter with his kicking from hand continuing to impress. A late try by Jacob Craig got Carrick back into the lead and Branagh made no mistake with the conversion to leave Lurgan 5 points adrift.
With only a few minutes left there was no time for Lurgan to mount much of a response and the home team came out the victors, 17-12.
We wish both teams good luck in their qualifiers.
Match Gallery
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