2XV Fixtures

Portadown 2^nd XV played their 5^th league match at home on Saturday. Portadown and their opponents Rainey had both struggled to score in their previous matches, losing heavily on occasions.

On this beautiful autumn afternoon Portadown came out on top by virtue of their better control both in the loose and in the tight. The home side’s willingness to run the ball from everywhere was going to make for an entertaining game.

It was obvious from the start that Portadown had the upper hand and Rainey made few advances into the home 22. Even as early as the 2^nd minute, Portadown were unlucky not to score, when, after a quick throw by Josh Matchett Jonathan Pollock followed up his own kick only to lose the race for the touch down.

It wasn’t long before pressure finally told and Portadown scored their 1^st try. In the 9^th minute, after a crooked line out by Rainey, Portadown won the scrum, opened with Pollock and Matchett making good ground. The ensuing ruck was won and Hampton went blind to O’Kane supported by Vennard. Another ruck and quick ball saw Hampton feed Pollock then Jackson who made room for Chivers to score in the corner. J Pollock missed the conversion.

It was only going to be when, rather than if, for Portadown to score again and they continued to dominate to produce a further score in the first half. After 20 minutes Vennard was on hand to finish off good work from both forwards and backs.

Rainey came out in the second half with a fresh approach and put the home side under some pressure but this only lasted for the first 5 or 6 minutes. Portadown weathered the minor storm and came back with further tries in the 8^th, 22^nd and 35^th minutes.

The best score of the game was worth waiting for and it was the first of the second half, when Peter Keightly went over after at least 3 or 4 phases of play, in which most of the backs and most of the forwards were involved in some very good passing movements. The support play was superb. The other scores came from Jonathan Pollock, 26 minutes and Nicky Jackson, 36 minutes, both converted by Jonathan Pollock, to leave the final score 29-0. The last score came even after Portadown were reduced to 14 men, when in the 24^th minute D Vennard was taken off with what looked to be an ankle injury.

It was nice to see a spirited, confident performance with some noteable high points. It was good to see so many players comfortable in their positions. This was especially obvious with J Pollock at out half and his partner L McAdam at centre. With the forwards providing an abundance of quality possession, it was also good to see many of the backs willing to attempt to take the ball at pace, even if some passes ended being spilled. Had the handling been a little better the score would no doubt have been even greater. Looking at the whole game it was a pleasure to watch – well done lads.

Team:- M Henderson, C O’Kane, D Vennard, M McBurney, P Keightly, A Chivers, B Telford, D Pepper, J Hampton, J Pollock, N Jackson, D Ruddell, L McAdam, A Brisbane &. J Matchett.

Posted in 2XV Fixtures, Senior Fixtures