Portarlington U16 Boys 34 – 38 Athlone Buccaneers

A historic day for our U16 Boys as they lined out in their first-ever inter-provincial friendly, Port flying the flag for Leinster against Athlone Buccaneers from Connacht. In only their third game together as a new team, the lads put in a tremendous performance, but on the day it just wasn’t to be.
Athlone got off to a fantastic start, running in two tries in the opening 10 minutes despite Port’s best efforts to settle into the game. But the lads didn’t drop their heads. They began to find their rhythm, making strong line breaks, putting in heavy tackles and stringing together some excellent 2nd, 3rd and 4th phase play to build real pressure.
That pressure paid off on 11 minutes when Tom Coen opened Port’s account with a super break to the right of the posts. Tom was at it again on 19 minutes, crossing the line for his second. Then Michael Owens was on the receiving end of some slick 3rd phase ball, slipped into fifth gear down the wing and went over for a super try. Bradley Cooper stepped up to add the extras with the conversion.
Port kept the ball moving and stayed right in the contest, going in at half-time just four points behind, 21–17 to Athlone.
The Second half opened with fresh legs on the pitch, it took Port 13 minutes to settle back into their stride. Then captain Bradley Cooper produced a moment of magic, a 50-metre run down the wing, breaking through three Athlone defenders to cross the line. 26–22 to Athlone and all to play for.
Port were building momentum now, with strong carries, great breaks and phase after phase of attacking play. Tom ‘The Bomb’ Coen wasn’t finished yet, and on 18 minutes he claimed his hat-trick with a powerful push over right at the posts. 27–26 to Port.
Athlone responded immediately with a try of their own to go 33–27 ahead, but Port kept coming. Sam Petriw had twice tried to break away down the right wing, and the third time was the charm, a 50-metre dash right to the posts and over. Cooper added the extras to put Port back in front, 34–33.
Port were on the verge of victory, but Athlone dug in and salvaged one more try in the last minute to seal the win, leaving the final score 38–34.
A narrow defeat, but a performance the whole squad can be proud of. To go toe to toe with a strong Connacht side right to the final whistle, in only their third outing as a group, shows real heart, character and huge promise for the season ahead.

Men of the Match: Tom Coen & Michael Owens
Huge Impact on the Game: Harry Robinson, Ben Kelly Drennan, Jack Penston, Niall Malone, James Redmond and Ciaráin Moore, for their relentless work rate, big hits in defence and never-say-die attitude from start to finish.
Great Support Play: Daragh Donnelly (VC), Kyle Kelly, Ruairí Conroy, Mark Finlay, Jack McDonald, Luca Hynes and Edward Feehan.
Special Mention: Seán Fitzpatrick & Jake Fitzpatrick for their work securing and feeding ball from the centre out to the wings.

Thanks to Athlone Buccaneers for a cracking contest, to the referee, and to all the parents and supporters who came out to support the boys.
Onwards and upwards, for this Port
Squad:
Niall Malone, Michael Owens, Jake Fitzpatrick, Seán Fitzpatrick, Luca Hynes, Bradley Cooper (C), Edward Feehan,Tom Coen, Ciaráin Moore, Harry Robinson, Darragh Donnelly (VC), Ruairí Conroy, Mark Finlay, James Redmond, Jack McDonald, Sam Petriw, Ben Kelly Drennan, Kyle Kelly, Tadgh O’Connor, Pierce Milner, Jack Penston, Aaron Flood