HAVING fared unexpectedly well against their Dungannon counterparts a week earlier at Stevenson Park, Portadown seconds travelled to Malone’s East Belfast home hoping to build on that performance.

Alas their Gibson Park didn’t quite go to script. Already trailing, ironically they suffered a further setback when full-back, James Edgar, suffered an ankle injury in going over for their only try shortly after half-time.

The young ex-College player tried to continue but he was forced to limp off shortly afterwards. And with French centre, Joe Geoffroy, struggling with a swollen ankle, Malone took full advantage by continuing to add scores in the closing 15 minutes.

Outside-half Colin Lawson had given the visitors an early boost by landing a penalty and there was plenty of running from his half-back colleague, Colin Robb, and centre, Aaron Morton.

But once Malone’s more experienced pack began to press, that created space out wide for their backs. The hosts ran in four tries in quick succession before the interval.

Reduced in strength for much of the second half as a result of those injuries, Portadown were forced into a largely defensive role.