Carrick storm to comprehensive victory over sorry Strabane

They ran in nine tries, seven of them in a completely one-sided second half, and conceded none.

Nothing in the early stages of the game gave a hint of the rout to come. Strabane had a very definite edge in the scrum and, in the first quarter, were lively in the loose.

Even though Carrick scored two tries in the first-half, their high penalty count allowed the visitors to stay in the game and they were just five points behind at half-time. However, in the first 10 minutes of the second half, Strabane conceded four tries to leave them trailling by 40-9 and thereafter it was simply a matter of how many more Carrick would score.

In the early stages of the first half the visitors kicked the ball aimlessly to Carrick allowing the very dangerous back three of Neil Hastings, Brian Alexander and Aaron McKinney to run back at them. They were supported by the rampaging Carrick back row trio of Neil Marsden, Chris Ferris and Curtis Rea.

With Strabane on the back foot, the Carrick centres had a field day, carving the opposition open almost at will; Johnny Sheriff picked up a hat-trick of tries and his centre partner Johnny Cullen touched down twice.

Kenny Topping was invoved in a number of the scores, with well-timed passes and his half-back partner, Luke Whitall, had an excellent day with the boot, converting seven of the nine tries.

It was not just the backs and the loose forwards who stood out. Second rows Andy Kincaid and Chris Rodgers carried strongly, and put in some big tackles in the first half, and the front-row trio of Robbie Williams, Neil Hanna and Eddie Peacock helped lay the foundations for the Carrick performance in the second half, especially by playing their part in ensuring that the home side had a continuous supply of quick ruck ball.

Strabane started the game in lively fashion and took the lead after three minutes with a penalty. Despite this, it was the home side who took the lead after 12 minutes with an excellent try by Brian Alexander. From a difficult angle, and into the breeze, Luke Whitall added the conversion points.

Ten minutes later, Strabane closed the gap to one point with a second penalty as Carrick’s problem with a high penalty count continued.

With 10 minutes to go to half-time, the home side got their second try. Marsden made good ground off the back of a line-out and did a great job in making sure Carrick retained possession at the break-down so that the ball could be re-cycled quickly and transferred left to Kincaid who went over for the try. Whitall again added the points to give Carrick a 14-6 lead.

However, the visitors remained competitive and reduced the gap to five points with another penalty just before half-time.

Virtually from the kick-off for the second half, the game became a feast of running rugby by Carrick as Aaron McKinney put through a grubber kick for Johnny Cullen to touch down for an unconverted score.

The home side landed a bonus-point try when Topping’s well-timed pass enabled Cullen to find a gap and feed Sheriff who went over for the try. This try was converted.

Sheriff picked up another try two minutes, out-pacing the defence following a strong run by Rea. Again Whitall added the points to give Carrick a 33 - 9 lead.

From the kick-off, the hapless visitors conceded another try, this time a great individual effort by the impressive winger, Hastings. which Whittal converted.

The next try came when Hastings made ground into the Strabane 22 before chipping through for Sheriff to touch down for his third try.

Cullen then went over for his second try before Curtis Rea touched down with a fine individual try.

At this point, with five minutes still to go, the referee decided to blow for full-time.

This was an impressive performance by Carrick. They showed just how dangerous their backs are as an attacking force, well backed up by an athletic pack of forwards.

A much tougher test awaits against Ballyclare on Saturday.

Carrick:A. McKinney; N. Hastings, J. Cullen, J. Sheriff, B. Alexander; L. Whitall, K. Topping; E. Peacock, N. Hanna, R. Williams, C. Rodgers, A. Kincaid(Capt), N. Marsden, C. Ferris, C. Rea.