Match Reports – 4.3.23
PORTADOWN COLLEGE WIN ULSTER SCHOOL TROPHY
Portadown College and Cambridge House met in the final of the Ulster School Trophy on Saturday at Wallace High School Lisburn.
Plenty of support for both sides promised a great atmosphere and the rugby didn’t disappoint! Portadown pressed right from the start winning a number of lineouts well but it was from open play that they were the first to register on the scoreboard with their big number 5. Max Boyce finishing off some from forward play. The out half John Speers added the extra points with a conversion to give Portadown a 7 nil lead.
Portadown increased their lead when no 8 Nathan Thornton broke out from the rolling maul to cross over near the posts. Speers then added the extra points to make the score 14 nil.
It was all Portadown in the first half and just before the half time whistle. Tyler Jackson powered his way up the right wing breaking a numbers of tackles to cross in the corner making the score 19 nil at half time.
A much more competitive second half saw Cambridge House getting reward from some good rucking. Portadown then increased their lead with a great drive from Speers who cross the line making the score 24 nil.
Cambridge got the game under control and their driving mauls helped them get their first score and conversion making the score 24 to 7. But Cambridge faltered again allowing Portadown a penalty form Seers to make the score 27 to 7. Cambridge fought back and again got their reward with a further 7 points to make the overall score 27 to 14. Towards the end of the match Bobby Newell broke on the blind side to drive over the line making the final score 32 to 14 for Portadown and the Ulster Schools Trophy.
Portadown Rugby Club win round 1 in the Ulster Junior Plate
Portadown RFC vs Harlequins RFC 2XV
Saturday 04th March 2023
Portadown travelled to Harlequins on Saturday to take on their 2XV in the First game of the junior plate.
Portadown started slowly and gave away a few silly penalties. When they started to get into the game it didn’t take them long to get the upper hand.
A smart play set play on the 5m line seen Taylor Tweedie crash over to open the scoring. Centre Tom Caesar then scored his first if the game, the fry was converted making it 12-0 to Portadown. Another score from each from Tweedie and Caesar with one being converted left it 24-0 at the half.
Portadown kept the pressure on in the second half with two more scores from Caesar, and one apiece from wing Conor Megarity, second row Danny Alexander and finished off by wing Charlie Logan.
The final score was Portadown 53 – 0 Harlequins
Portadown host Larne in the next game of the Junior Plate on Saturday 25th March. Kick off at 2:30.
Portadown U16 v Coleraine u16 in the first round Ulster Youth Under 16 Cup
Coleraine started the stronger of the two teams with their large forward driving at the portadown defecne to create a gap. Portadown held out strongly and with their swift backs tried to run out of their pown half every time they stole Coleraine ball.
Coleraine eventually got a pay off for their attack when they scored close to the posts to lead 7 to nil. This push Portadown into more consistant efforts to attack the mid field and the outer field areas in the Coleraine defence.
This paid of when Portadown centre broke two tackle for a run towards the corner. Having outpaced the rest defence the Portadown centre ran unopposed under the posts to make the score with a conversion 7 points all.Thats how it stood at half time.
In the second half Portadown got into their groove first and the movement the ball to the wide out back allowed another score wide out, which was unconverted making the score 17 points to 7. Coleraine fought back but strong Portadown defence stopped some strong attacks on their line.
From a brake out Portadown got close to the Coleraine line only for the ball to be dropped over the line. But soon after Portadown got thier 3rd score making th final score 17 to 7. Portadown now wait to see who they get in the next round.
