January 6th, 2010 | 
Author: 
Archive for the ‘5XV Fixtures’ Category
Chambers Park Kick Off 2.30 pm
Portadown 24 – Newry 12
And so it was, on a blustery day, thankfully devoid of rain that the 5ths kicked off their new season, hoping to build on an encouraging end to last years campaign.
Picking up where they left off it was the Portadown forwards who set the tone for the match, taking the game to the Newry pack. Indeed it was after a good scrum and pick-up by number eight Richard Matchett who released out-half Andrew Matchett for the first try under the posts which he duly converted. Portadown’s game plan was paying off and the Newry threat was effectively nullified during the first twenty minutes of play. The second try of the game came after great work by the Portadown pack brought play to the oppositions line and some good hands by the backs allowed fullback Des Henderson to get over the line for a good team score. With the conversion tapped over the blues found themselves 14-0 to the good. By this stage Portadown’s tails where up and a scrum deep in their own half was the unlikely catalyst for the second try of the afternoon. Busy scrum-half Brian Graham feeding Andrew Matchett who cleverly changed the direction of the play to the blindside where fullback Des Henderson drew the tackle before offloading to flying winger Nick Durrans and leaving covering defenders in his wake touched down after a lung bursting run. Conversion missed 19-0. After such a blistering start it was only to be expected that the team would take their foot off the gas and so it proved. With the first half drawing to a close Portadown found themselves on the back foot and Newry sneaked in for a score after some weak tackling. A disappointing end to the half but plenty of positives to be taken from the first forty minutes of the season.
The second half started much like the first with the blues obviously fired up after the half-time team talk. Forwards Ryan Hazely and Matt Graham were particularly instrumental in pushing the opposition back and turning over ball. Portadowns fourth score of the afternoon had a familiar feel to it. Out-half Matchett playing a clever combination with centre John Marrion before releasing fullback Des Henderson who offloaded to the impressive Nick Durrans who again left the defence in his wake to score in the corner. Conversion missed 24-5. This was to prove the last score of the game for the blues as their Newry counterparts were determined not to concede any more points. Indeed Newry got a try of their own to give them some hope after some weak tackling by the Portadown three-quarters on their own line. Final score 24-12.
An excellent start to the season that should give the team huge confidence going into their next fixture away to Banbridge. Great individual performances from Ryan Hazley and Matt Graham in the forwards allied to the non-stop work ethic of hooker Steve Quinn gave the backs a great platform to work off. The Suicide twins of John and Phelim Marrion in the centre deserve special mention for their hard tackling and lines of running. Man of the match goes to Nick Durrans, the flying winger got two tries of individual class and always looked a threat.
Posted in 5XV Fixtures
