Welcome to the newest members of the Club! The PRFC Panthers group are for people aged 6+ with Learning Disabilities and will play non-contact Tag Rugby as well as have loads of fun on the way. Practice sessions begin next Saturday from 9.30am. Thank you to the Newforge Taggers who travelled from Belfast, Ulster and Ireland wing Andrew Trimble and Deputy Mayor Colin McCusker for joining us this morning. A great time was had by all. New members welcome. — with Colin McCusker at Portadown Rugby Football Club.
The 5ths captain Mo Duffy welcomed Enniskillen 3s to Chambers Park for League game.
With a makeshift team, included quite a few debutants, the 1st half was a scrappy affair, with Jonny McAfee putting the ports ahead with a penalty, b4 Enniskillen scored a tryfrom close to the line to go 5-3 up. the 5ths then decided to play, and Steve Quinn scored after good work from the forwards, again converted by Jonny McAfee.
The first half ended with the 5ths 10 – 5 up and fcing a stiff wind in the 2nd half. Another 2 pens from Jonny McAfee put the 5ths 16-5 up b4 some bad defence by the 5ths midfield let Enniskillen score between the post, to leave the scores at 16-12. After the restart the backs made up for this by sending Ryan Duffy over aafter a great move from inside their own 22. With the momentum now with the 5ths, young Andrew Matchett sent his brother Richard through a gap to make finish the game, with the score at 25-12. Men of the match were Jamie Haslem, whose defence kept the 5ths in the game in the 1st half, and Brian Murray, whose attacking running from full back kept Enniskillen on the back foot.
2ND XV MATCH REPORT V ENNISKILLEN
23/09/20130 Comments
The 2nds had their first home game of this season against Enniskillen 2nds on saturday but unfortunately failed to secure the points. For the first time this season the team started well and from the first whistle were on the front foot and looking dangerous with ball in hand.
It was pressure all the way in what seemed like one way traffic but failure to convert that pressure into points in the end was the deciding factor. At half time all the blues had to show for a superb half of dominant rugby was two Robbie Thompson penalties and a Richie May try 11-0. Credit must also be given to Enniskillen for a fine defensive effort.
Skins came out for the second half with all guns blazing and started to exert pressure of their own. The blues held out well until they were handed a blow by the referee who carded Willie Graham in what appeared to be a harsh decision. Soon after portadown conceded a try. Portadown fought back but weren’t getting good fast ball for the backs who looked likely to score when set loose.
Another Enniskillen try and penalty put them 13-11 in front. Portadown were jarred into action and another fine back move resulted in Richie May again touching down in the corner putting the blues back in front at 16-13.
Alas they couldn’t hold out and conceded another try and although a counter looked on right to the final whistle that was the last score of the game leaving a final score of 16-18 in favour of Enniskillen 2nds.
Portadown 2nds now have two saturdays off and need a concentrated effort at training to regroup and do some hard work in preparation for the next league game.
3RD XV MATCH REPORT V ARMAGH
23/09/20130 Comments
Portadown 3rds v Armagh 3rds match report
Tries
R davies
Con
C lawson
Pens
X3– C lawson
Portadown opened there first game of the season with a strong start from the off. Armagh made great efforts to keep the blues out as they spent 20 minutes of the first half defending with great forward plays from parker, boycie and stevie graham. Colin lawson controlled the back line well to keep play in the Armagh half, but with a strong Armagh back line they took advantage of some loose play and punished the away side with a break away try. Portadown battled back up the field to put pressure on to get a well deserved penalty, up stepped Colin lawson to bring the match back to 5-3. From the kick off after lawsons penalty Arron muldrew made a great break along side up and coming young player Neil cully which resulted in some foul play from Armagh in there own 22 which again resulted with a penalty for the blues, up step Colin Lawson to slot the nicely between the posts. 6-5 was the score going into the second period.
Portadown started strong from the off with Colin lawson making a quick break from just outside his own 22, he drew his man and passed to Peter keightley who made a strong run into the Armagh half with Shane Johnson in support to receive the back handed pass to bring the blues just outside the Armagh 22, once again Armagh buckled under the pressure and were penalised again. Portadown went for the line but good Armagh defence on the line proved difficult for the ports. Portadwon once again made a great break with Lawrence Ruddick pacing up the field but was put out, subsequently Lawrence was taken off which later resulted with a fractured collar bone. With Portadown down to 14 men they struggled yo keep Armagh out, a blue scrum lost to the head give the home side a easy converted try, 12 – 6 down with 20 to go. Long periods of stop start play after that once again Armagh scored a converted try to leave the away team under the posts now playing for pride in the final stages. Portadown won the ball from there own kick off and picks and goes from the experience of Simon may and Ryan muldrew brought yhe away team up to the 22. Keith boyce hammered through and the quick hands from Colin Lawson resulted with Ross davies breaking through the Armgh defence to score a great try, Lawson converted to finish on the whistle:
Armagh 19 Portadown 16
