First XV Match Report from Saturday 18th September 2010

Portadown College 1^st XV versus Bangor Grammar 1^st XV

Portadown College started brightly with a lot of possession in Bangor’s half but it was Bangor who were first to score. In their first meaningful attack in Portadown’s twenty-two, they broke through the centre and, with a quick off load, they were in under the posts. This was successfully converted. Portadown went straight back into Bangor’s half and gaining easy yards from strong running from Josh McCullough, Adam McKeeman and David Busby, Portadown began to build the phases together and get quicker front foot ball which gave Bangor a lot of trouble and led to them conceding a penalty for slowing the ball down. Michael Busby slotted it through the post to bring the score to 7-3. The rest of the first half was evenly contested with both sides having opportunities. Bangor had the best of them with a number of overlaps but couldn’t cross the line cause of a strong scrambled defence from Portadown.

The first half ended 7-3 in favour of Bangor.

Bangor started the second half strongest keeping the ball in hand and having a lot of possession. Portadown held out for a while but continually defending Portadown couldn’t hold out and Bangor finally crashed over the line. It was also converted. Three minutes later Portadown were again under pressure and gave away a penalty which Bangor opted to kick. It was converted to bring the score to 17-3. Portadown then came back claiming the restart and keeping the ball and the pressure on Bangor’s defence. Portadown kept Bangor pinned back in their own twenty-two by kicking to the corners and with good line out jumping by Daniel Coulter stealing the ball and securing a strong attacking platform. Portadown came close but were just not clinical enough when it mattered most.  They kept fighting to get across the line. Portadown still had some defending to be done but this time it wasn’t from Bangor’s creativity, it was from Portadown’s own mistakes and Bangor hacking through. Portadown managed to hold out and the last five minutes put a lot of pressure on Bangor’s line, thanks to good set piece play especially from the front three in the scrum against a bigger Bangor pack.

Unfortunately Portadown couldn’t cross the line and the match ended 17-3 to Bangor.

Man of the Match -

By Ryan Calvert