2nd XV lose to Portadown

Monday, 07 December 2009 18:08

Academy 2nds V Portadown 3rds

Portadown started very positively, as you would expect from the league leaders, ignoring a couple of kickable penalties, to pin Academy in the corner with 5m lineouts. A catch and drive from the second lineout creating the opening score (0-5,  3 mins).

When Academy missed their first penalty attempt, Portadown ventured up-field for a second time, and extended their lead when Academy were penalised for killing the ball (0-8,  23 mins). As the first half came to an end, Academy failed to clear their line from a five metre scrum, and the Portadown pack scored another catch and drive from the 5m linout even though they were reduced to seven men (wingforward yellow carded).

(0-13, halftime).

The second half started with Portadown having a second player (hooker) being yellow carded, A.Sloan converted the penalty (3-13,  41-mins).

With Portadown’s numbers reduced, Academy failed to press home any advantage, one penalty kick for territory kicked dead, and another two attempts at the posts missed.

Portadown had a third player yellow carded (prop 61-mins), but they were stil able to drive Academy back at the lineout. As Academy kept attacking, A.Crowe thought he had scored in the corner, but this was disallowed due the an observant linesman spotting a foot in touch. Academy’s pressure was finally rewarded with a P.Ross penalty (6-13,  72 mins). In the closing minutes, a quick tap penalty from in front of the posts could have ended in a try if Academy had strung together 4-5 passes, alas this skill had eluded them all afternoon.

(6-13, fulltime).

The Observer