PORTADOWN RFC MATCH REPORTS 24th OCTOBER

2nd XV Report

Portadown seconds unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday after a long trip to Donegal Town. In difficult
playing conditions Portadown opted to play with the wind in the first half and made a good start but just
couldn't get over the line. Ten minutes into the match Portadown lost their full back Jack Orr to a bad
shoulder injury, meaning Jonny Burns had to go into the back line. All Jack's team mates wish him a
speedie recovery. After six collapsed scrums on the Donegal line the only reward was a penalty taken well
by Neil Irwin. In the second half Donegal played the conditions better and converted three penalty kicks.
Portadown then moved the ball through the forwards to give the back space and Calvin Chambers crossed
the line for a try in the corner. Portadown kept pressing right to the end but just couldn't get across the line,
leaving the final score 9 - 8 to Donegal giving Portadown a losing bonus point. Johnny Hampton was
awarded man of the match. Despite the loss everyone enjoyed some team bonding on the bus ride home.
Special thanks to Shelbourne Motors for the hire of the bus.

3rd XV Report

Portadown 3rd XV got back to winning ways after a close fought 26:22 win over Limavady
seconds. Portadown started brilliantly and with the backs attacking at every opportunity
the home side were 19:0 up after twenty mins. Veteran scrum half Barry Gribben kicked
two conversions to add to tries by winger Ross Davies and centre Aaron Morton. Chris
Dunn also got on the score sheet after a fine solo run.

As the first half continued Portadown were playing some nice rugby and some patterns of
play were well orchestrated. Some excellent defence led by Emmet Murray and Craig
Woods saw the visitors being forced back time and time again. Gribben controlled the
game from nine and was rewarded for his efforts with a try after some good work from
Jonathan Allen, Matthew Beale and Ryan Duffy. However the second half was a
completely different affair and the visitors came to live and Portadown started to concede
far too many penalties at the break down. Limavady scored twenty two unanswered
points but the thirds held out to win the game.

Skipper Keith Boyce is happy with the start to the season and next week's derby game
with Armagh threes has an early kick off of 1 oclock to allow all the players to watch the
world cup final.

4th XV Report

On a cold blustery afternoon an unusually youthful 4xv team welcomed civil service to chambers park. The
blues first home game of the season was an occasion to kick start a very difficult season to date. With help
through the week with selection from Sid Johnson, Paul Galway and Clive Bowles, the 4xv fielded a mixed
team of youth and experience.
From the kick off the blues sought to place the civil service on the back foot. Strong tackling from both
forwards and backs kept possession and on occasion turned over the ball too. The blue scrum was
instantly superior and the ref was on occasion called to ping the blue pack for over enthusiasm.
Experienced heads like Darren Preston and captain Brian Milligan calling the changes and holding the
enthusiastic youth back and found the right side of the ref quickly. Countless scrums won against the head
in a truly superior scrum performance. The line was out also imperious, all this considering hooker Steven
Quinn was clearly still drunk from his anniversary the previous night.
The forward back were rewarded with a try when a high kick into the opposition try area saw I fabulous leap
by Kenny Anderson to claim the high ball before a suspect off load where Brian Milligan lost his footing and
fell over the ball to register his first score this season.
There was also a stand out performance by Jamie Matthews at fly half. No doubt raising his game due to
the presence of the ever youthful Andrew Matchett waiting on the sidelines.
Matthews conducting the backline to perfection. Strong running from Kenny Anderson at 12 and Ruari
Quinn at 13. Quinn scoring two tries, two penalties and three conversions including on the strok of half time
a huge 40m penalty that had plenty to spare.
Matthews himself in the second half breaking multiple tackles before dotting down for his own five points to
round off a terrific performance.
Lapses in concentration allowed this civil service reply in the corner but no conversion. Apart from that and
two wind assisted penalties the visitors found it difficult against the tough tackling home team. Michael Gill
making a try saving tap tackle out wide deserves a mention as an example of the aggression I the team.
The stand out moment of genius was when the blues turned over the ball in their own 22 Andrew Gilpin
stepped into the role of out half, with pressure coming from the visitors Gilpy coolly put boot to ball to clear
the lines. Unfortunately somewhere between thinking about kicking the ball and actually making contact
with the ball, the balls position had changed and the clearance quickly turned into a scramble for reposition.
The quick thinking Gilpin recovered the ball quickly and returned to type with a heads down pick and go
instead.
With the blues in control the bench was emptied. The blues had given a few too many penalties away all
game for going off their feet. The referee had warned that one more infringement would be punished with a
yellow card. When Craig McCann made his return to play after a while away from the game, he was
unfortunate to receive the promised yellow card. But it was good to see him back, as good a 90 seconds
performance as I've ever seen.
All in all a terrific team effort and a very enjoyable and entertaining game. A welcome win and well earned.
Scorers
Jamie Matthews 1 try (5)
Ruari Quinn 2 try's, 3 conv and 2 pen (22)
Brian Milligan 1 try (5)