This game was always going to be a real local derby struggle. Since Portadown were relegated into Qualifying League at the end of last season they have been seen to regroup and, indeed, have taken home a winning bonus point from every league game this season. Armagh, on the other hand, failed to secure a bonus point when they entertained Coleraine at The Palace Grounds last month. This meant that Armagh simply had to secure a victory at home against a very strong Portadown side if they wanted to win the league and secure promotion to Senior rugby for next season.
The scene was set for a really exciting game, the conditions were perfect in that there had been some rain earlier in the morning but the sun was now shining and although there was a light breeze the large crowd anticipated an open game.
55 photos here of Armagh v Portadown. Thanks To Colin Hayburn – CLICK HERE To View.
The match started with Portadown being penalized inside their own ‘22’ for a late tackle. The Armagh captain, Johnny Steenson, stepped up to take a relatively easy kick for posts. Rather ominously he missed the target and within five minutes Armagh were awarded another penalty but on this occasion they chose to go for touch rather than risk another off-target blunder. When Armagh were awarded yet another penalty for coming in the side of a ruck Out-half, Gowing was seen to take over kicking duties. But alas, he was seen to miss the target also.
The Portadown pack were much heavier and less mobile than Armagh’s but they were starting to take control in both the set pieces and in open play. The line-outs, normally an Armagh speciality, were falling to the visitors as the appeared to be able to contest every throw and steal the ball constantly. The Portadown second row was ‘yellow carded’ for taking an Armagh player out as he fielded a high ball. This gave the home side an advantage and resulted in Portadown being pinned inside their ‘22’ for a considerable period, but alas, no points were won before the sin binned player returned to the field. But just before the half-time break Armagh forwards launched a strong rolling maul and scored a push-over try in the left corner. The touch-down was awarded to prop, Andrew Morton. Yet again, the conversion kick went wide of the mark. Portadown’s reply was to score a try on the stroke of half-time but their kicking was also wide of the mark leaving the score 5-5 at the break.
As the second half got under way it was becoming even more obvious that the game was beginning to go the visitor’s way Both Armagh’s line-outs and scrums were looking decidedly shaky. Ten minutes into the half Armagh were penalized for going ‘over the top’ in a ruck. This was right in front of the Armagh posts just inside their ‘22’. This time the Portadown kick was on target to bring the score to 5-8.
The weak Armagh scrum was then dealt a body-blow when prop, Andrew Morton, was forced to leave the field with a shoulder injury. Brian McConnell stepped into position but the confidence was beginning to show through the ranks of the Portadown pack.
Shortly after this incident the Portadown left winger stepped through the Armagh defence and scored what appeared to be a very easy try. Yet again the conversion went wide but the score 5-13 was beginning to look ominous for the home side. To add to Armagh’s troubles Alexis Luneau was yellow carded for an off-side offence. This added to the fray when Armagh’s scrum-half, Mattie Wright, and the Portadown hooker exchanged hand-bags.
Armagh attempted to run the ball from every possible angle but failed to penetrate the Portadown defines.
The game ended with a deservedly loud cheer from the large contingent of Portadown supporters. When all is said and done the better side won on the day with the wiser tactics. As the Portadown coach was overheard to say’ Portadown didn’t win that game Armagh just lost it’ with a kicking rate of zero and the combined poor performance in set-pieces and the inability to take advantage of the sin-binnings when Portadown were down to thirteen men translated out that the home side just weren’t strong enough! Sadly, it makes the promotion aspirations a bit difficult now as Portadown have a 100% bonus point rate this season and we have yet to play Cooke who are notching up points also! The All-Ireland Junior Cup is the next challenge when Armagh entertains Tralee at home next Saturday. The late news is that Tralee won their Sunday’s league fixture against Skibbereen 28-9 with two late tries. This will be another hot Saturday’s fixture no doubt!
It is also very hard to swallow this defeat when ALL OTHER club teams won their games
Armagh 2nd’s 20 Portadown 6
Armagh 3rd’s 11 Portadown 5
Armagh Under 17’s 54 Lisburn 0
Armagh Under 15’s 44 Lisburn 24
Armagh Under 13’s 52 Lisburn 26
