Port fall to a narrow defeat

The Portarlington 1XV travelled to Dundalk RFC to play Ardee in the first round of the league as the home teams pitch had not fully recovered from summer drainage works. Despite a couple of late withdrawals Port had a strong panel of players to choose from and, following two Lawlor cup wins, the teams confidence in their own ability was high.

The first minutes of the game were high tempo with good rugby being played by both teams as they sussed each other out. Ardee were on top in the early set pieces but Port were making an impact in the loose. Following a good period of possession a flowing backs move put Chris McCormack in for a try which was converted by Andrew Evans for a deserved lead after 12 minutes. The try listed the intensity of the game and after 20 minutes the Ardee pressure told as they broke through for a try under the post which was converted to bring the scores level.

Ardee kept the pressure on but the Port men held out wave after wave. The "home" team had a bonus period between 25 minutes and 35 minutes where they took advantage of some indiscipline and picked up three penalty kicks to lead 16-7 heading for halftime. This series of penalties resulted in Port being down to 14 men for 10 minutes but the heads didn't drop and we battled back. Injury time in the first half saw multiple penalties awarded for Port and wave after wave of Port attacks held up on the line so the half ended with Ardee leading by 9 but now with their own problems with a man in the bin.

Port came out of the blocks on fire in the second half with some great runs from the Port forwards bursting holes in the Ardee defence. The lineout was functioning well and the driving maul was making big gains. Eventually the pressure told as a great catch and maul was pulled down short of the line and the ref had no option but to go under the posts for a penalty try. With 12 minutes to go Andrew Evans tagged on another penalty and Port took the lead once again, the Ardee indiscipline resulted in them having a man sent to the bin.

From the kick off the ball bobbled around and Port were adjudged to be offside and the Ardee kicker took the opportunity to put them back in the lead. Port were now on top in the set pieces and some great drives in the scrums saw us make gains then disaster struck as we drove a scrum the ball was called as out by the ref as Ardee pounced to go over in the corner, the conversion was missed so the lead was 7 heading to the final whistle.

A massive amount of pride and intensity saw Port make ground with the forwards and backs all making great carries and working deep into the opposition 22. Eventually the pressure paid off and Port crossed the line in the corner - unfortunately the final conversion narrowly missed so the home team finished up with a narrow in. Port heads were held high as they walked off with a bonus point but also knowing that they were the better team for large periods of the game.

On to next week with the first home game of the season against the Dublin Dogos with a 3:00 kick off in Lea Road