PORTADOWN 27 – 24 LIMAVADY
Portadown got back to qualifying league action for the first time in over two months with an away visit to Limavady. The visitors found the going tough in the opening exchanges and whilst they were dominant in the scrum, the amount of penalties conceded stifled any momentum they hoped to build. Crucially though, they didn’t concede in this period and after ten minutes got a break away try against the run of play. Lee Bicker made the break but was stopped short, when the ball was recycled, Dale Black was on hand to score. John McGuckin hit the post with the resultant conversion. 5-0. Limavady continued to press hard and could have got points on the board when awarded a penalty within kicking range but the out-half conspired to drag his effort to the right and wide. It was a miss they were to rue as the Blues stretched their lead. The impressive McGuckin broke the line on half way and made good yards before offloading to Dermy O’Kane, good hands through the backs put Willie Graham over in the corner and Portadown led 10-0. The home side spent the next ten minutes attacking the Portadown line and were eventually to register a try off a lineout. 10-5. Both sides were creating chances and Portadown winger James Edgar nearly got in on the act when he caught a clearance kick and headed for the line only to be stopped short. The Blues were to get another try though, pushed over from five yards in the corner, Gareth McCoy the body at the bottom of the pile.. 17-5. The Blues were now playing confident rugby and second row McCoy was at the heart of everything good. His pickup and drive from the base of a ruck led to another try, Johnny Holden receiving the ball to put fullback John McGuckin over. 22-5. With half-time approaching the Blues were in total control of the game and when Oliver Montels charged down a clearance for Dale Black to score his second try of the game Portadown led 27-5.
Limavady tactics were noticeably different in the second period, opting to play a tighter more forward oriented game and it was certainly paying off as they pinned the Blues back for long periods. After ten minutes the Limavady scrum half broke away to score and suddenly the home side were back in the game. 27-12.. The Blues were still making hay on the counter attack but James Edgar couldn’t finish when presented with a good opportunity. Limavady did have a player yellow carded for use of the foot but their resurgence was gaining momentum. John McGuckins cross field kick was marked by the Limavady defence, James Edgar caught the clearance but was hunted down and penalised for holding on. Rather than go for goal the home side kicked for the corner and from the resultant line-out they pushed over to bring the score to 27-17. Buoyed by a vocal home support and with Portadown wavering Limavady continued to attack and after several pick and drives another try came to bring the home side within three points. 27-24. This led to a nervy last five minutes as the Blues struggled to hold the home side at bay, but hold them they did, for a deserved – if nervy – bonus point win.
PORTADOWN 5XV 27 – 13 ACADEMY 3XV
Academy were the 5XV’s first opponents in the Butler shield after the Blues exited the McCambley cup in the first round. It was an experienced home side that took to the field with veterans Carey, Matchett, Kilpatrick and the Marrion brothers keeping the average age well above 35 but it was Academy who threatened the first score early in the game. The visiting side had most of the possession and therefore momentum, threatening the Portadown line on a number of occasions but a sturdy defence marshalled by John and Phelim Marrion kept them at bay. Portadown hadn’t really started and a needless penalty concession on 22 gave Academy their first points of the day 3-0. An early injury to fullback Des Henderson saw the introduction of 54 year old Tony Murray at fullback and he didn’t put a foot wrong. Portadown were now slowly coming into the game with the forward unit in-particular starting to up the ante. Richard Matchett and Norman Stinson were getting some go forward ball and suddenly the visitors knew they were in a game. It was after a series of pick and drives that out-half Matchett found himself in the perfect position to knock over a drop goal and not long after add penalty to push the Blues into a 6-3 lead. The home side were now playing with confidence and spent the remainder of the half camped inside their opponents 22 and with only seconds remaining on the clock John Marrion took a clever inside ball to crash over for a try. 13-3 at the break.
Academy came fast out of the blocks in the second half and could have had a try only for some robust last ditch defending, settling for a penalty and three points instead. The Blues wouldn’t settle for anything less than a try though and scored through the impressive Stuart Sheehan in one of their first attacks. 20-6. Academy heads visibly dropped at the concession of another try and the Blues should have capitalised on mistakes being made all over the pitch by the visitors. Eventually they did when a wayward pass was pounced upon by the impressive Phelim Marrion for another seven points and ultimately the game. Academy did score a try at the death but by that stage the damage was done and the 5XV had secured their passage to the next round. A great team effort in what was the performance of the year so far, impressive performances by the Marrion Brothers in the centre and Andrew Matchett at out half were only bettered by Norman Stinson in the back row, a really committed performance from the versatile youngster. The Blues now await their opponents in the next round and captain Simon Carey is confident that if everyone stays fit the team can make it to Ravenhill on finals day.
PORTADOWN 3XV 6 – 26 COLERAINE 3XV
It was a busy week for Geoff Caldwells thirds in the Crawford Cup. Having won 19-10 at Lisburn on Wednesday night their reward was a home fixture with Coleraine on Saturday afternoon. Wednesday night’s performance was impressive with tries from Jonny McAfee (2) and Alan Robinson securing the win but two games in four days isn’t easy and Saturday’s performance was flat as a consequence – Coleraine taking full advantage of the hosts exertions in midweek. Two tries either side of a Chris Cousens penalty gave the visitors a 13-3 lead at the break and in truth they looked good value for it. The Portadown pack were competing well but had visibly ran out of steam after only a few minutes of the second half. This allowing Coleraine to take full control of the game scoring a further two tries to run out comfortable winners. Full time 26-6. A disappointing result for the thirds but two games in four days is a tough ask for this team and had they gotten a better rest between games the result could have been much different.
PORTADOWN 4XV 20 – 15 DROMORE 3XV
Andrew Gilpins Fourths have been playing well of late and it was no surprise that they turned over a strong Dromore team at Chambers Park on Saturday. It was a nervy start however and the Blues conceded early after a defensive mix up, 5-0 to the visitors. Portadown spent the next 15 mins in Dromore’s 22 which finally resulted in a try. A quick lineout catching the Dromore defense unawares and Steven Chapman crossed the whitewash. 5-5 at halftime.
In the second half Portadown forwards bossed the game , tries by Brian Mulligan after strong running by Keith McGuinness, and Andy Gilpin put the Blues firmly in control of the tie. Neil Bicker playing his first game at out half in over five years landed a conversion and a penalty to give a seemingly unassailable 20-5 lead with only minutes remaining on the clock. Two late tries by Dromore however, ensured a nervy finish but the Blues held out for a 20-15 win. Despite the concession of those late tries this was a strong team performance with old hands Steven Graham and Brian Mulligan steering the ship. It is also worth mentioning four under nineteen players making the transition to senior rugby, Robert Morton, Andrew Heron, Robert Reece and man of the match Steven Chapman all showed up well on the day.
