Chambers Park   Kick Off   2.30 pm

Portadown 43 – 3 Armagh

It has been five long seasons since the Blues last celebrated victory over their
Armagh rivals, but a focused 5XV took to the field determined to stop the rot.

The Blues have been criticised for starting slowly this season but an Armagh team on
home turf is like a red rag to a bull for any Portadown side and from the first
whistle the pack set about dismantling their opponents. Camped inside the visitors
half it didn’t take long for the pumped up home team to register their first
score. Good rucking by the pack allowed quick ball for the backs to show some great
hands before releasing flying winger Garth Durrans to score in the corner.
Conversion added, 7-0. The Blues didn’t let up and the second score wasn’t long
in coming, and what a special score it was. Number eight Gary Holloway picking the
ball up from the base of the scrum on half way, selling an audacious dummy to break
the line before side-stepping the fullback to score under the posts, another case of
a forward thinking he’s a back. Conversion added 14-0. Having been on the
receiving end of many a heavy defeat to Armagh, Portadown sensed
revenge and a third score of the half was just reward for the teams overall work
ethic. Fullback Des Henderson picking up a wayward clearance to chip over the
onrushing defenders and gather the fortunate bounce to put the home side 19-0 to
the good. Armagh closed the half with an easy penalty to leave it 19-3 at the
break.

Captain Carey’s team-talk at half time made sure the Blues weren’t about to rest
on their laurels. The Blues smelt blood and were determined to go for the jugular,
and any Armagh hopes of getting back into the game were killed off by busy scrumhalf
John Haffey, outpacing the covering defenders to score in the corner. Converted
26-3. It has been a long time since the Blues were in a position like this against
Armagh and by the smiles on the players’ faces it was obvious they were enjoying
their dominance. The Blues didn’t let up and a rare Armagh attack was turned over,
allowing the impressive Garth Durrans to show his pace yet again, scorching through
the defence from his own 22 to register his second of the day. Converted 33-3.
Armagh were tiring with most of the game having been played in their half and
predictably they coughed up more scores as it neared fulltime. Evergreen centre John
Marrion selling his opposite number an exquisite dummy to
score from five yards out, justly deserved after another committed performance.
38-3. This game saw the return from injury of winger Lee Mustoe and he marked his
comeback with a try in the dying minutes, latching onto a floated pass to touchdown
in the corner. Final Score 43-3.

What a result for the 5XV, it has been a long barren spell for the Blues against
Armagh, which only made this win all the sweeter. A great team performance allied to
superb individual performances from Garth Durrans in the centre and Gary Holloway in
the pack means the Blues are challenging at the right end of the table, currently
sitting in second place. Allez Les Blues!!!!

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