Saturday proved a real test of character for the under 17 squad having learned two days before that the league title had been taken away from them when the Ulster branch decided that due to time restrictions they would call a halt to youth leagues with current standings decreed to be the final League placings. Portadown had matches postponed due to the recent bad weather and thus, although being in pole position to win the league, came away empty handed having played less games than other teams in the mix.

Although deemed a friendly match it would have been one of the remaining games in the U17 Premier League which was not played due to weather and the team approached it as if it was a league game. From the kick off you could see that Portadown were up for this one with constant pressure from the forwards creating a great platform for the backs to attack. Within 10 minutes the Banbridge back line were caught off side 30 meters out in centre field and out half Robbie Thompson stepped up to slot the kick over for 3 points. Portadown were always in control of this game and a strong pack was making life very hard for Banbridge. Good forward pressure from Portadown saw the ball worked wide and when Ulster U18 back row, Luke Montgomery, popped up on the wing a score in the corner was inevitable and he crossed untouched leaving Portadown leading 10-0 at the break
The second half started in much the same vein as the first with Portadown on the attack and Banbridge were very lucky to keep the score down in this one. Firstly Stuart Lynnes touched down but the ref said he couldn’t see the ball clearly being touched down so he deemed it “held up” Then Luke Montgomery was hit hard by a super try saving tackle whilst going over the line for what looked to be a sure try. Next it was the turn of flying winger Kenny Anderson who stormed past flailing Banbridge defenders handing off several before touching down in the corner. Unfortunately he injured himself in the process thus ending his game. However even worse news  was to follow, as adding insult to injury, the Banbridge touch judge claimed a mysterious foot in touch to rule out the score!

Having not played for 6 weeks the rust was well and truly shaken off now and Luke Montgomery was really stamping his authority on the game. He picked up from the base of a scrum on the 22 and raced in field cutting through the Banbridge line and once more only a fantastic tackle on the line denied him and forced a knock on. Montgomery wouldn’t be denied for long though and a short time later from a carbon copy scrum on the 22 he again picked up but this time went blind and with only 2 defenders in front of him it was never going to be enough of a defence to stop him and he scored his second in the corner. Robbie Thompson struck another lovely conversion from the touch line only to see it skim the top of the post and wide. The game now was over as a contest and when Portadown were given a penalty 40 meters out a confident Thompson asked for a strike at goal and duly added another 3 points with a wonderfully struck kick leaving Portadown as 18-0 winners

This result in no ways makes up for the disappointment felt by the team as a result of the Ulster Branch’s decision to suddenly terminate the league leaving Portadown’s youngsters in third place with matches in hand over the two teams who finished above them. However it was a statement of intent as the players now concentrate their efforts on the cup which begins on 13 February.
Team: R. Morton, S. Coll, J. Fiddes, A, McAlinden, J. Herron, M. Davison, S, Lyness, L. Montgomery, T. Reid, K. Anderson, R. Thompson, C. Fyffe, J. White, J. Bleakly, D. Conn. Subs M. Beale, D. McKeever
 

This Saturday the U 17s play Dromore at Chambers Park-kick off 11.00a.m.

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