As it was Larne offered little going forward and Portadown took advantage with six good tries. The first came from Luke Montgomery breaking from the base of a scrum and running powerfully down the blindside for an easy score. After only 15 minutes Portadown showed their superior strength up front to power over for Stuart Lyness to touchdown under the posts. An excellent solo run from strong centre Matthew Beale saw him cut a beautiful line through the Larne defence on the halfway line and speed away for the score of the game on 23 minutes. From a penalty kicked into the corner a catch and drive resulted in Luke Montgomery touching down his second of the game on 28 minutes. Half time 24-0
For the second half a couple of changes were made and younger players were given a run out, they didn’t disappoint. Standing out were back row duo Graham Currie and Caleb Montgomery (younger brother of the influential Luke) who were clearly trying to impress the coaches and succeeded in doing so. From a 5 metre scrum Graham Currie picked up and went blind giving the covering defender no change of a tackle for a very nice try. Although totally dominant no more scores were forthcoming until the last minute when Caleb Montgomery showed his strength and topped off a fine performance with a score in the corner. An off day with the boot for out half Robbie Thompson resulted in him converting only two scores but a convincing 34-0 victory sets the scene for a winner takes all confrontation next weekend against unbeaten Clogher Valley (away) in the last match of the group stage of the U 17 Cup 

CAVAN MATCH REPORT

Portadown 47 – 5 Cavan With the 5xv’s recent run of good results there was no lack of confidence going into this game against a Cavan 2xv side who still had serious aspirations of league and cup success. A big physical pack is what Cavan teams have been …noted for down through the years and Portadown’s diligent work at the breakdown and around the fringes during the opening exchanges served notice that the Blues weren’t going to be muscled off the ball on their home patch.

Indeed it was ten minutes of dour, dogged rugby before the breakthrough finally came from the home team. A well-worked move off the top of a lineout in the oppositions 22 saw John Haffey take Richard Matchetts knock down and stroll in on the blindside.

With the Cavan players still looking bewildered the conversion was added. 7-0 to the home side. Now getting caught out once is understandable but twice from the exact same move is unforgivable and that’s how it transpired when Matchett and Haffey again combined off the top of a lineout for the latter to score unopposed. 14-0. With the forwards making all the hard yards the pacey backline was benefiting from quick ball and after some good hands Garth Durrans showed his searing pace, beating the drift defence to score under the posts. Converted 21-0. Despite the scoreline Cavan heads didn’t drop and they were just as physical from the restart, but inevitably when chasing a game holes are going to appear and Portadown got another try just before the break. Garth Durrans again showing the defence a clean pair of heels to grab his second of the day. 28-0 at the break.

The second half saw the introduction of club stalwart Graeme McCluskey for his first game of the season and he showed class is permanent, panicking the defence with some neat footwork every-time he got the ball. John Haffey too was a constant thorn in the side of the Cavan defence and he completed his hat trick with a well-taken score. 33-0. Not to be outdone however, flying winger Durrans (collecting a pass from Andy Gilpin at outside centre) turned on the gas once more to complete his hat-trick for the day and take his season tally into double figures. 40-0. Credit to Cavan they never stopped trying to play attacking rugby but the reunited centre partnership of John and Phelim Marrion were proving an insurmountable obstacle. But a score for the away team did come after a period of prolonged pressure and it was one of the few positives they could take from the game. 40-5. The Blues had one more score in them before the final whistle, veteran fullback Rab Gibson rolling back the years with a great step to leave the defence in his wake. A try a younger man would have been proud of. Final score 47-5. Another solid performance from the ever-improving 5XV. Cavan are semi-finalists in the McCambley Cup and Portadowns only viable opponents for second spot in the league which makes the manner of this victory all the more impressive. Best on the day were of course the hat-trick heroes Garth Durrans and John Haffey, but Richard Matchett too deserves praise for his great work in the pack.

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

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 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.