Carrickfergus RFC hosted the Butler Shield Final that was contested between Larne 3rds and Malone 4thss and provided a superbly contested final that saw Malone pip the Larne men 19-29.
Malone opened the score board through an intercept pass to score under the posts and go 0-7 up.
Larne immediately hit back through a Johnny Shirley try in a well worked back move that was finished in the corner. Conversion unsuccessful.
Larne were further rewarded with another score with Gareth Rennix crossing the whitewash. Johnny Hall converting the kick for 12-7.
Malone, refusing to back down, countered the Larne surge by creating havoc in midfield through their centres. Slicing their way in the defence they scored twice, going 12-14 up and then 12-19 with one try converted.
A final converted try was scored by Malone and it looked to be out of reach for the Larne side, until hooker and Larne's man of the match Joseph Johnston barged his way over for Larne's hopes of winning the game. Conv by Hall. 19-26.
In the final moments of the game, Malone sealed the victory with a penalty to end any chance for a late Larne comeback. A great entertaining final for all that came to support.
Larne captain Ben Meikle said after the game: "The lads put in a superb effort from 1-20 and it was credit to the hard work they put in this season. It was a highly entertaining final for local rugby."