Published: Thursday, 28th January, 2010 9:58am

Fantastic team can beat Ballyclare - Lachlan

by Editorial Department

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Lachlan Ferguson.

Portora coach Lachlan Ferguson believes his side can defeat Ballyclare and qualify for the quarter-final of the Ulster Schools' Cup following their battling victory over Down High School in round three.

"I think we have a fantastic team here," he said. "We are getting stronger and stronger with every match, and I have no doubt we can win against Ballyclare."

Despite holding a lead of 17-0 against Down with just over ten minutes left Portora were relieved to scrape through 17-14 after a late rally from the visitors, but Lachlan reckons the match was good preparation for his team ahead of the Ballyclare clash. "That was a good tough game, and exactly what they needed," he said. "I thought they were courageous and I was very happy with their work rate and attitude. I never thought we were going to lose the game until maybe the last two minutes when they got the penalty try."

Portora's main failing during the game was a persistent habit of conceding penalties, but having got points on the board early in the match their indiscipline did not prove fatal. Against a more accomplished team such as Ballyclare however, they can not afford to repeat their mistakes.

"Obviously we have to address our discipline problems because we gave away too many penalties and had three guys sin binned," admitted Lachlan. "Realistically, against Down there was only one team in it and that was Portora. We deserved the win and did everything right. The only thing that kept bringing them back into the game was our inability to stop giving away penalties. We just have to be more disciplined, but I'll leave it up to those who were watching to decide for themselves if we deserved to concede that many penalties. That stopped us building a platform, but that is something that can be corrected."

With the constant succession of infringements handing Down much of the possession, Lachlan was quick to single out the side's defensive performance. "Our defence was amazing," he said. "Down took the option of going for two penalties after three or four attempts at trying to breach our lines, so that was tremendous respect for our guys. I'm very happy with our defence and our attack is getting sharper all the time."

The draw has pitted Portora against Ballyclare High School, the team they defeated at the quarter final stage in 2006. On that occasion a 12-12 draw at Ballyclare brought the teams back to Portora Lane for a replay, which Portora edged 6-0. Lachlan is hoping that history repeats itself.

"I think it'll come down to our desire to progress and win the game, and I've no doubt we can," he said. "Having been there before and I know it's a very hostile environment with the crowd very close to the pitch, and they have made the semi finals the last couple of years so they are obviously a very strong squad. I don't know a lot about them because we haven't played them this year, but we will give them maximum respect. It's going to be very tough, but the bigger the game the more important it is to take the opportunity, and this will be a great chance to show what we are really made of. Ballyclare away in the fourth round, an opportunity to make the quarter final of the schools cup - stuff of dreams!"