Sat 19th Oct, 2:30pm. Kukri Qualifying 1. Dromore 13 – 15 Portadown
Dromore played host to league leaders Portadown in this Kukri Qualifying League 1 fixture on sat last. Barban Hill was windswept as usual and the Dromore side played with the wind in the first half.
Dromore started brightly and had the majority of possession and territory, Jenks looked dangerous from scrum half at times, although the Portadown defence looked well organised. Cobb pressurised the Portadown line with kicks to the corner and from one of the resultant line outs, Jenks fed Cobb, he put a lovely weighted pass to midfield where Maguire slipped the ball inside to the flying Brian McClaren who raced clear to side step the full back and score under the posts, Cobb converted and Dromore led 7-0. Cobb added another penalty to stretch the lead, following foul play from Gribben the poradown pivot, before Portadown converted a penalty on the stroke of half time.
The second half got underway with Portadown using the strong wind and following good link play between their pack and backs they crossed the Dromore line and converted the try to even the scores at 10-10. Dromore then attacked the Portadown line and went ahead 13-10 when the Ports were caught offside.
Portadown attacked with the elements and used the up and under on several occassions which the Dromore full back dealt with comfortably, and 10 minutes from time another up and under was launched by the Portadown out half, Aaron Stewart rose like a salmon to claim the ball and mark, but the referee had other ideas and called play on, the confused Dromore side lost control of the ruck and the League leaders seized on the chance and put the ball wide for their winger to score the winning try.
Full time was called not long after leaving the home side frustrated with a losing bonus point 13-15.
Coach Bekker said ” I’m proud of the Dromore men today, we pitched up against a strong Portadown side and took them all the way, we feel desperately disappointed not to have gained a win today, but we will keep training hard and I’m sure we will pick up a few good wins on the build up to Christmas”
