January 20th, 2010 | 
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Archive for the ‘3XV Fixtures’ Category
Rugby kicked off again at Chambers Park after an enforced spell of inactivity, due to the recent harsh weather conditions as the Third fifteen carried over their successful league run into the opening round of the Crawford cup campaign. Neighbouring rivals Banbridge came agonisingly close to causing a cup upset with Portadown, clinging on to a narrow one point winning margin late in the match. Portadown dominated early on and turned their advantage into a six three lead with penalties from full back Andrew Brisbane. However Banbridge hit back approaching half time and fortunately for the home side the opposition backline took far too long, delivering the final pass with ample space out wide on the touchline. The home pack carried play downfield once more setting up a ruck deep in the Banbridge 22. Scrum half Jonny McAfee broke clear and with the entire Banbridge cover expecting the Portadown pack to retake possession, McAfee sold the perfect dummy and broke clear for a vital touchdown at the corner flag. It was the ideal response to Bainbridge’s failed attempt moments earlier leaving the home side 11- 3 in front at the break.
Portadown missed penalty opportunities at the beginning of the second half, but fifteen minutes from time McAfee once more proved to be the match winner for the home team. Again the Portadown pack did the hard work forcing Banbridge to defend deep in their own half and having been caught flat footed by McAfee earlier in the first half the visitors took the sucker blow yet again. A cheeky show of the ball by McAfee side tracked the Banbridge cover leaving a clear path to the opposition posts. Brisbane converted to push Portadown 18- 3 in front.
Banbridge though, produced a stronger finish, breaking clear on two occasions with converted tries each time leaving Portadown to cling to their slender winning margin at the finish. Team captain Geoff Caldwell and his front row colleague Aaron McCullough worked hard throughout, securing ball in the contact situations while out half Alan Robinson controlled much of the action in the back line along with match winner McAfee.
Posted in 3XV Fixtures
