Saturday last saw us play our final game of the season away to Portadown. It proved almost impossible to get a team out last week due to a whole range of problems and some 1000 phone calls later Roger was able to produce a XV to go to Portadown. A sterling effort from Roger and testimony to his commitment to the team. That said, his own unavailability due to a wedding, meant Barry nominated Chris Magowan as captain for the day. Indeed, with Pete Stewart unfortunately crying off with a bad dose of the flu Barry Dowling had to make an enforced return from injury and play at blindside and move Davey Vincent to 2nd row. The enormous responsibility of this positional change for Dowling meant that captaincy was out of the question.

On a fine afternoon Portadown proved much too strong for our scratch team and were two scores to the good after only 20 minutes. A combination of poor tackling and disorganisation was proving oiur downfall. However, we still managed to hold on to the ball for long phases but could not find any killer pass or penetrating runner when in sight of their line. A searing break from Dowling midway through the first half found Philip Wilson on the switch who was held up short of the line but quick ruck ball was not found and the moment was lost. Continued bursts of fine running from the wonderful Kenny Webb (yes, another comeback) and Davey Vincent always were breaking the gain lines but could not find the necessary support. Our lineout was working not too badly but our scrummage was creaking to put it mildly. Portadown were simply making better use of the ball but much to the annoyance of our forwards they played the referee somewhat better as well and it was infuriating to watch them dive all over the top at their own rucks and get away with it every time. Another couple of scores were conceded before half time, all converted by the worst kicker any of us have seen.

Half time was welcome but found us puffing and panting somewhat, cursing again our heavy style winter shirts on this Mediterranean of days. The second half followed a similar pattern except that our backs saw more ball and some nice running by Barney Leitch, Chris, Angus, Andy and Ally again wasn't rewarded with points. Our forwards were not winning enough ruck ball at the breakdown and with some continuity we would have scored 2 or 3 tries. It's fair to say that we never really gave up even though we were giving up scores as defensively we had no organisation due to the scratch nature of the team. We probably controlled about 50% percent of possession so to come away with no points and to give so many away was a massive disappointment when you consider we turned this Portadown side over at Deramore earlier in the season. More scores were conceded, some from close in penalties as the referee continued to penalise us for nothing other than his dislike for us due to some silly first half back-chatting, mainly by old stagers Magowan and Dowling who should know better. Man of the match was a close call between Davey Vincent and Kenny Webb but the changing room verdict had Davey shade it. Dick of the day would have been unfair on anyone in particular as this was a poor effort all round and acknowledged as such afterwards.

All in all poor effort and our worst of the season but if put into perspective with the following regulars who where absent the result could have been very different: Pete Stewart, Richard Cooper, Steven Weatherup, Roger Gilpin, Roger Frew, Marcus Cummings, Graham Chalmers and Eddie Wilson.

Team: 1. Mark McCartney, 2. Stephen Uprichard, 3. James Graham, 4. Philip Wilson, 5. Davey Vincent, 6. Barry Dowling, 7. Gary Hume, 8. Kenny Webb, 9. Chris Magowan (capt), 10. Barney Leitch, 11. Angus Mills, 12. Chris Davis, 13. Stephen McAloney, 14. Angus Mills, 15. Andy Nixon.

Man of the match - Davey Vincent

Dick of the Day - All XV (nobody could be singled out)

Back / Menu / Next