Portarlington u 14 boys hosted Mullingar last sat morning in perfect conditions for rugby.

Portarlington u 14 boys hosted Mullingar last sat morning in perfect conditions for rugby.
Following a tough defeat the precious week to birr, this match was all the more significant as Mullingar had leapfrogged portarlington into second place.
Mullingar started the game with the greater intensity and ran in two converted tries within the first 10 minutes.
To portarlingtons credit, they rallied and absorbed further Mullingar pressure for the next 10 minutes without conceding.
With a revived sense of confidence the port lads began to push forward.
Quick movement of ball from kealan Hennessy at scrum half and Jack Hynes at 10, provided the platform for port to bring the game to Mullingar.
A superb scrum and lineout all afternoon allowed quick ball and attacking options throughout.
The first port score came from a training ground line out which resulted in a try from Ben McMahon and converted by Sean Downey.
The second score before half time was a result if out dominant scrum and fast hands from our 22 allowed Ben McMahon to score his second try again converted by Sean Downey.
Port kept the pressure on in the second half and great pressure on the Mullingar attacked line meant another mistake was punished with a try from Ben McMahon. The last score of the day was a special score. The famous " Barry Gallagher Ball" has been reinvented and from a penalty 5 m from the opposition line, Ben McMahon made it 4 and Sean Downey again converted from close to the side line - 28 - 14 the game finished.
What was really pleasing for the supporters and team, was that while Ben McMahon gets the plaudits for a 4 try haul, it was the manner in which the team created space, won the set piece and dirty ball that was really evident. The hard work of open side flanker Nathan Duffy was rewarded with man of the match.
Portarlington are now second in the table and host Gorey this coming weekend