Seniors recover from early scare to pick up home points
PORTADOWN firsts bounced back from a sluggish start to ease home by 55-22 at Chambers Park in Saturday’s Qualifying League clash.
University of Ulster Coleraine made the trip to town aiming to climb up the divisional standings and enjoyed a positive start at the expense of the league leaders.
Malcolm Allister had gone close to pushing Portadown into the lead before a mix-up between Luke Creaney and Stuart Lamb led to UUC registering a converted try.
A penalty presented the visitors with a second scoring opportunity and Portadown were left trailing by 10-0.
Portadown kicked off the response with a lineout and the home pack eventually pushed over the line thanks to Darren Pepper
Pepper scored again within moments to level the scoreboard and additional lineout success allowed Mark Neilly to head over the line.
A well-worked try by UUC left the visitors up by 17-15 but another positive Portadown fightback featured numerous phases before Lamb capitalised and Chris Cousens found his range from the conversion.
Portadown managed to build on the half-time lead of 22-17 during the free-flowing fixture, with both sides keen to move forward at every opportunity.
Creaney and Matt Maguire combined to place UUC under sustained pressure. Lamb carved out an opening and Creaney headed for the line before picking out the supporting Rab Reid for a try converted.
Reid increased his tally soon after to cap Maguire’s powerful break and a conversion left Portadown on top by 36-17.
Maguire, enjoying a strong performance, added to the scoreline by switching the direction and racing home from 40 yards.
Another conversion placed Portadown up by 43-17 and Reid’s pace resulted in a pass which Jamie Haughey forced home.
A late try left UUC down by 50-22 and Creaney made his mark in the closing moments as he rewarded Portadown pressure with a try from Reid’s ball.
PORTADOWN fifths finished out in front by 30-24 last weekend at Chambers Park against Rainey Old Boys.
It provided the town men with a win double at the expense of Rainey as the Portadown forwards proved commanding.
Andrew Gilpin looked sharp from the start and Mo Duffy posted the opening try courtesy of strong running.
Johnny McAfee enjoyed success from conversions and a penalty before a Rainey try left Portadown’s lead at 17-7 entering the break.
Rainey scored the first try of the second half but McAfee slotted in a penalty at the end of good work by David Leckey before the visitors added another score to reduce the gap to 20-19.
Portadown regrouped to take control and Paul Ward topped off a fine drive following a lineout, with McAfee adding to his personal tally before the final whistle.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Portadown
Saturday 18 May 2013
Today
Heavy rain
Temperature: 9 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
