February 12th, 2010 | 
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After a 6 week period of virtual inactivity the Portadown u 19 squad returned to action with 2 League matches in a week! Last Wednesday night they faced a well drilled & talented Banbridge outfit under the Chambers Park floodlights. Portadown’s rustiness was evident as Banbridge dominated the forward exchanges, especially the lineout where the locals were badly missing Ulster player & Irish U 18 squad member Lee Bicker. Banbridge made good use of the stream of quality possession provided by their forwards and dominated possession & territory during the first half. Despite a strong defensive effort by the locals the Bann side turned round with a commanding 26-0 half time lead. The only positive U 19 coach Darren Thompson could take from the first half was the threat being posed by the Portadown midfield especially out half Chris Cousens and centre Robbie Faloon who caused the Banbridge problems every time they received the ball. Right wing Paddy Currie also looked threatening but unfortunately the only possession Portadown got was deep in their own half
In the second half the young Ports proved to be more of a handful and tested the Banbridge defence on numerous occasions especially through breaks by Faloon & Currie. Most of the play in the second half was in the Banbridge half but a combination of good defence by the visitors and crucial handling errors by the locals meant the Bann line remained intact. The only score of the second half came as a result of a good break by the visitor’s scrum half who darted away from the base of a ruck near the half way line to score. It was a much improved second half from Portadown but they were always second best to Banbridge especially up front.
On Saturday they faced Enniskillen in a 2.30 kick off. From the start it was evident that the return of Lee Bicker had a very positive effect as Portadown totally dominated the lineouts but unfortunately the backline,, who had looked so threatening against Banbridge were having an off day! Their lines of running were easily defended by Enniskillen and all too often the ball was taken into contact when a pass could have resulted in a try. Up front,not content with his lineout domination, Bicker was also outstanding as a ball carrier as he drove time and again through the Enniskillen fringe defenders, Young loose head prop Jordan Fiddes also had an outstanding game in the loose as he breached the visitor’s defence on numerous occasions. It was no surprise that Portadown’s tries came through the forwards. Lock forward Ashley Walker powered his way through for try number one after a sustained period of Portadown pressure and the lead was increased to 10 points when number 8 Ashley Pepper, who was having a good game, added a second try just before half time. Out half Cousens was having an off day with the boot and missed both conversions.
The second half continued in the same vein as the first with Portadown dominating the forward exchanges but poor play by the backline meant the Enniskillen line remained in tact. Midway through the half Portadown lost the influential Bicker but still they dominated the lineout with hooker Tyler Irwin finding skipper Gareth Mc Niece regularly.
With ten minutes to go Portadown contrived to lose a game that they were never in any danger of losing when they made three errors which virtually gifted Enniskillen 13 points! Firstly they were caught napping twice from midfield scrums. The scrums were uncontested from the start as Enniskillen were unable to field a proper front row but it was only with ten minutes to go that Enniskillen decided to try a number 8 pick up from the base. Portadown’s flanker was caught sleeping as the Enniskillen number 8 raced deep into Portadown territory leading to Enniskillen’s opening try near the posts. The conversion attempt hit the post! From the kick off Enniskillen were awarded another scrum exactly in the same position and their number 8 repeated the process! Yet again the conversion attempt hit the conversion attempt struck the post! With the score at 10-10 Portadown’s luck finally ran out as the backs, perhaps fittingly given their performance throughout, gifted possession to Enniskillen as the match was drawing to a close. From the ensuing ruck Portadown strayed offside and this time the visitor’s kicker made no mistake as he sent the ball between the posts to give Enniskillen a surprising 13-10 victory. Definitely a case of defeat snatched from the jaws of victory!
