Both sides played some good rugby trying to move the ball in terrible conditions but the PRFC side were guilty of taking too many wrong options. All too often players tried to go it alone resulting in good field position being wasted as the College turned over a lot of ball at the ruck.

Portadown with quite a number of last year’s successful U 17 side making the step up showed in periods what they were capable of but they need to learn to play as a team if they are to fulfil their potential. The young club front row of Jordan Fiddes, Steven Coll and Robert Morton showed up well in both the tight and loose and lock forward Johnny Herron improves with each game. Also pleasing for coaches Darren Thompson & Barry Gribben was the growing confidence displayed by, another of last year’s U 17s, out half Robbie Thompson. Despite strong performances from Ulster players Gareth Mc Niece & Chris Cousens the club side failed to breach the College’s well organised defence. Overall a good run out for both sides as they both prepare for a busy season ahead.

This Saturday-Sept 11th.- a strenghthened U 19s will play against an Ulster U 19 Schools selection at Chambers Park-Kick off is at 12.30

 These games will be part of a festival day of rugby against Boyne starting with the U 17s kicking off at 1.00, followed by the U 19s at 13.00 and culminating with the club 1 XV playing at 15.00.

 The Under 13s, coached by Willie Gribben & Matthew Wilson and the Under 15s, coached by Paul Galway & Andrew Matchett start their season on 4 September.

 Once again Portadown’s Youth Chairman has issued an invitation for all youth players to attend training at 7.00 each Monday & Thursday night. New players will be made especially welcome.

 Portadown field teams in the Ulster Youth Leagues in the following age groups:

Under 13s born 1998;  Under 15s born 1996/97;  Under 17s born 1994/95 & Under 19s born 1992/93

Colearine drew first blood when the scored through their influential Ulster lock Conor Smyth straight from the kick off. The touchline conversion was missed. Portadown hit back straight from the restart when they secured the ball and spun it wide allowing wing Andrew Laverty to score in the left hand corner. Once again the conversion was missed so it was back as the match started-all square and everything to play for.

The remainder of the first half was a feisty affair with both sides determined to get the next score. Both defences were fully tested & held firm as each team took it in turn to try to get the next score of the half. Coleraine out half Ali Chambers kept his cool to slot a penalty just before half time to give the visitors a slender 8-5 lead going into the second half.

The pattern of the second half was similar to the first as both sides with well organised defences which dominated. Portadown’s forwards, with Ulster U 18 lock Lee Bicker leading the way, were gaining the upper hand in the set pieces and they used this to good effect with a number of driving mauls keeping Coleraine under pressure. However, unfortunately for Portadown the usually reliable Chris Cousens failed to maximise the opportunities he got when Coleraine were penalised for pulling down the maul.

Whilst the Portadown forwards were dominant it was the opposition backline which caused the hosts problems and unlike Cousens the Coleraine skipper, and Man of the Match, Ali Chambers took the two opportunities provided to him by Portadown indiscipline at the ruck to convert two further penalties thus stretching Coleraine’s lead to 14-5.

A tense finish saw Portadown heap further pressure on the Coleraine line but over eagerness saw too many opportunities spoilt leaving Coleraine as worthy winners of an excellent semi final.

Once again speedy winger Stephen Hyde proved to be Portadown’s main threat and it was no surprise when he opened the scoring 10 minutes into the game. Out half Chris cousens added the extra points. Lock Luke Montgomery added a second try soon after, once again converted by Cousens to give the hosts what looked like a comfortable 14-0 lead.

However Rainey to their credit were not about to lie down and hit back with a try. To add to Portadown’s woes they lost the influential Hyde to injury. Rainey then added a second unconverted try to narrow the gap to 14-10.

Portadown started the second half nervously and this led to errors which kept the crowd on tenderhooks for most of the second half. However a strong finish resulted in a Cousens penalty followed by Man of the Match Montgomery scoring his second try of the match. Out half Cousens added the extra points leaving Portadown as rather flattering 24-10 winners.

Portadown face the winners of the Coleraine-Larne clash (07 April) in the semi final on Tuesday 20 April.

Out half Chris Cousans opened the scoring with an excellent midfield break. His partner, scrum half, Michael Robinson,added a second  befor number 8 Gareth Crooks picked up from the base of a scrum in the Hinch 22 to power over for a third try. Out half Cousens converted all three so the score at half time was 21-0.

In the second half centre Robbie Faloon made a break, following a great kick chase from Ashley Peppe to score under the posts. Cousens added the extra points. Portadown then lost concentration and missed a first up tackles to allow Hinch to score 3 tries. However the young Ports were determined not to squander their lead and dug deep to finish off the game leaving the final score 28-17 in Portadown’s favour

 Portadown dominated up front providing plenty of quality possession for a talented back line who responded with the 3 early tries but it was a resolute, well organized defence that held out against a resurgent Ballynahinch side who were determined to overturn a poor start.

The Man of the Match award was given to the hard working Ashley Pepper who reverted to his more familiar position of blind side flanker. Time and again he made crucial tackles as well as taking the game to the opposition

The U 19s next game is on Wednesday night under the Chambers Park Floodlights when they take on Rainey in the quarter finals of the Nutty Krust Tournament in a 7.45 kick off. Hopefully club officials and membersill turn up in big numbers to give the boys plenty of vocal support.

Once again Portadown’s forwards dominated the piece with Ulster U 18 lock Lee Bicker prominent and it was from forward play that the visitor’s scored two tries, both by lock forward Ashley Walker who powered over from close range. Strong running wing Stephen Hyde, who set the alarm bells ringing in the home defence every time he got the ball, scored a third Portadown try just before half time.

However, instead of building on the strong finish to the first half complacency and laziness seemed to affect the second half performance. The forwards in particular were slow to the breakdown and thus Portadown were unable to capitalise on good running by centres Lee Mc Adam & Robbie Falloon. The only score of the second half came from centre Mc Adam who made a telling break to breach a resilient Ards’ defence. Out half Chris Cousens converted 3 of his side’s 4 tries to leave the final score 26-8 in Portadown’s favour.

Portadown Coach Darren Thompson was disappointed by the second half performance and commented,” There will need to be a noticeable improvement in concentration in our next two matches if we are to continue our run.” The boys play Ballynahinch in the League on Saturday (Venue & time to be confirmed) then they take on the winners of Ophir v Rainey in the Nutty Krust next Wednesday (24 March) in the Nutty Krust Tournament.

Portadown 34 Ballymena 3

 Portadown U 19s advanced into the second round of the Nutty Krust Tournament, by virtue of a comprehensive 34-3 victory over their Ballymena U 19 counterparts on Wednesday night under the Chambers Park floodlights.

 In a match, that was a great advertisement for U 19 rugby Portadown’s forwards were completely dominant throughout. This dominance afforded the  enterprising home backline a lot of opportunities to display their running skills which resulted in five tries, three of which were converted, for the host club. Strong running right wing Stephen Hyde scored two, with full back Reece Brown, replacement left wing Aaron Mc Clelland and centre Robbie Faloon adding one apiece. Out half, and Nutty Krust Man of the Match, Chris Cousens added 3 conversions and a penalty. Ballymena’s solitary points came from an early penalty by out half Mark Wiggins.

 Up front the Portadown forwards dominated the lineout through Ulster U 18 players Lee Bicker & Luke Montgomery. The Portadown scrum, with Ulster U 19 tight head Lee Mc Clure to the fore, ensured that Ballymena had no respite in the set pieces. Their set piece dominance continually led to the visitor’s defence being placed constantly under pressure either through powerful forward drives or strong running by the host’s talented backline. The back row of Ashley Pepper, Gareth Crooks and Ulster U 18 openside Gareth Mc Niece along with lock Bicker were especially prominent in carrying the battle to Ballymena whilst the backline, well marshalled, by out half Cousens, looked threatening every time they received possession. The lines of running taken by centres Robbie Faloon & Lee Mc Adam breached a valiant visitor’s defence on numerous occasions to release the outside backs to score 4 of the team’s 5 tries.

 Portadown play the winners of the Rainey/Ophir game (to be played on 17 March)

 Next week there are two games in the Tournament. On Tuesday night (9^th. March) Banbridge face neighbours Dromore and the following night  (Wednesday 10^th.) Ballymoney take on last year’s Nutty Krust winners Ballynahinch. Both matches kick off at 7.45p.m

 The locals started brightly and took a 3-0 lead when out half Chris Cousens converted penalty awarded against City of Derry for coming in the side at a  ruck. The locals dominated the early exchanges but were unable to capitalise on good line out possession provided by lock forward Lee Bicker. City of Derry were awarded a penalty on one of their rare visits into the Poradown half and levelled the score at 3-3. Just before half time Cousens added another 3 points, when he punished yet another City of Derry infringement, leaving Portadown 6-3 up at half time.

From the restart Portadown attacked and a sweeping back movement following quick ruck ball saw centre Robbie Faloon, who was a constant threat to Derry throughout the match with his powerful running, go over close to the posts. Cousens added the conversion to give Portadown a 13-3 lead. The Portadown forwards dominated up front with a number of excellent rolling mauls keeping City of Derry under pressure. Lee Bicker and captain Gareth Mc Niece were particularly prominent and every time they carried the ball they got over the gainline.

The Portadown backs enjoying a surplus of good quick ball continued to keep City of Derry under pressure. Cousens added another penalty before prop forward Ben Williamson finished off another powerful drive by the forwards by touching down close to the posts. Cousens added the conversion leaving Portadown clear winners on the day.

Lock forward Bicker shaded the Man of the Match award with his excellent display in the lineout, his powerful ball carrying and a high workrate throughout. Captain and openside flanker Gareth Mc Niece and centre Robbie Faloon also were outstanding on the day.

Coach Darren Thompson was delighted with the performance as it was the first time in weeks that the team has played to its abilities with both backs and forwards combining well.

 The team’s next match is on Wednesday night when they take on Ballymena in the Nutty Krust Floodlit tournament in a 7.45 kick off.

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!

Everyone connected with Youth Rugby in Portadown is delighted by Lee’s call up to these two high level squads and wish him every success.

Well done Lee-Keep working & training hard!