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U18.5 Boys Match Report
Lisa Hainsworth15 Jan - 11:50
Portlaoise RFC 10 – 48 Portarlington RFC
Following a postponement from the weekend due to the weather the U’18.5 travelled to Portlaoise to fulfil their League Div 2 fixture against the Portlaoise U’18.5 second selection. For the first time this season we had almost a full squad to select from and we had the unfamiliar territory of having a bench to bring on.
The conditions were almost perfect following the freeze last week and our lads were chomping at the bit to get going. They settled in to the pace of the game quickly putting pressure on the Portlaoise set piece and through on the backs. The pressure paid dividends with two tries in the opening 10 minutes from Jake Hurley & Theo McGrath with one converted by Tadgh Perry to take a 12-0 lead. The Portlaoise team were stung by the start by Portarlington and struck back with an unconverted try of their own on 15 minutes. The pressure continues from the home team but a great team defensive effort held out and we cleared our lines. The team captain Ross McMahon, ably supported by Paul Whyte making his debut and strong runs by Cillian Molloy kept the momentum with our lads.
The rest of the half was all Portarlington with our high pressure defence complimented by incisive attack with line breaks and support runners making inroads all through the pitch. The back three of Callum Dunne, Tadgh Howard and Cillian Finaly were containing the increased attacking effort from Portlaoise but our pressure was building. A second try from Jake Hurley following a great run by Cillian Finlay was converted by Tadgh Perry to move the score to 19-5. The bench was called into action a little earlier than we had hoped as Ryan Weldons powerful display was cut short as he had to leave with a nasty cut on the nose and Cuan Hennessy coming on for Ben Dunne. As the clock approached half time the Portarlington lads cut loose with three quick tries from Sam Robinson, a second from Theo McGrath and third from Cillian Finlay just rewards for his efforts in attack and defence. One of these were converted and the teams headed to the halftime break with the score at 36-5.
The second half was a much tighter affair as Portlaoise put it up to our lads, they carried well and spread the ball with purpose eventually crossing our line after 10 minutes of the half, the unconverted try moved the scoreboard on to 36-10. The score had the right reaction from our lads with some excellent play in the backline complimenting big carries from the pack, with Mark Mooney butting in a huge effort, cutting through a more resolute Portlaoise defence. The bench was called into action with Cormac Jewell, Robert Whittle & Liam O’Mahony complimenting the team. Another one of our subs, Killian James, made the breakthrough to score in the corner but could not convert his own score to have the score at 41-10 approaching the final 15 minutes of the game.
Portlaoise were winning much more of the ball but they were repelled by an immense defensive effort by the team, repeated sniping runs by Miguel Meras supported by his halfback partner Jamie Delaney keeping the Portlaoise defence on their toes. It was real end to end stuff and a game to savour following the weather enforced break. The game was coming to an end and was rounded off nicely with a converted try by Ben Stapleton to show a final score of 48-10. Following a very difficult start to the season with the squad struggling for numbers this was a real short in the arm and just rewards for the efforts that the team and coaches have put in. Training continues on Tuesday and Thursday nights @7:00 so if you want to be part of the end of season efforts we would love to see you out in Lea Road
The conditions were almost perfect following the freeze last week and our lads were chomping at the bit to get going. They settled in to the pace of the game quickly putting pressure on the Portlaoise set piece and through on the backs. The pressure paid dividends with two tries in the opening 10 minutes from Jake Hurley & Theo McGrath with one converted by Tadgh Perry to take a 12-0 lead. The Portlaoise team were stung by the start by Portarlington and struck back with an unconverted try of their own on 15 minutes. The pressure continues from the home team but a great team defensive effort held out and we cleared our lines. The team captain Ross McMahon, ably supported by Paul Whyte making his debut and strong runs by Cillian Molloy kept the momentum with our lads.
The rest of the half was all Portarlington with our high pressure defence complimented by incisive attack with line breaks and support runners making inroads all through the pitch. The back three of Callum Dunne, Tadgh Howard and Cillian Finaly were containing the increased attacking effort from Portlaoise but our pressure was building. A second try from Jake Hurley following a great run by Cillian Finlay was converted by Tadgh Perry to move the score to 19-5. The bench was called into action a little earlier than we had hoped as Ryan Weldons powerful display was cut short as he had to leave with a nasty cut on the nose and Cuan Hennessy coming on for Ben Dunne. As the clock approached half time the Portarlington lads cut loose with three quick tries from Sam Robinson, a second from Theo McGrath and third from Cillian Finlay just rewards for his efforts in attack and defence. One of these were converted and the teams headed to the halftime break with the score at 36-5.
The second half was a much tighter affair as Portlaoise put it up to our lads, they carried well and spread the ball with purpose eventually crossing our line after 10 minutes of the half, the unconverted try moved the scoreboard on to 36-10. The score had the right reaction from our lads with some excellent play in the backline complimenting big carries from the pack, with Mark Mooney butting in a huge effort, cutting through a more resolute Portlaoise defence. The bench was called into action with Cormac Jewell, Robert Whittle & Liam O’Mahony complimenting the team. Another one of our subs, Killian James, made the breakthrough to score in the corner but could not convert his own score to have the score at 41-10 approaching the final 15 minutes of the game.
Portlaoise were winning much more of the ball but they were repelled by an immense defensive effort by the team, repeated sniping runs by Miguel Meras supported by his halfback partner Jamie Delaney keeping the Portlaoise defence on their toes. It was real end to end stuff and a game to savour following the weather enforced break. The game was coming to an end and was rounded off nicely with a converted try by Ben Stapleton to show a final score of 48-10. Following a very difficult start to the season with the squad struggling for numbers this was a real short in the arm and just rewards for the efforts that the team and coaches have put in. Training continues on Tuesday and Thursday nights @7:00 so if you want to be part of the end of season efforts we would love to see you out in Lea Road
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