Adrian's experience points to replay win for Portora

Editorial Department • Published 19 Jan 2012 13:00 0 Comments

Portora's recently appointed rugby coach Adrian Walker is confident his team can make the next round of the School's Cup despite a disappointing draw against Dalriada last weekend.

Walker, originally from London, has been working with the 1st XV since his appointment in September and he believes he has seen enough to know Portora have what it takes to go on a cup run this season.

"It's rare that you have a chance to right the wrongs and correct your mistakes but we have a replay where we can do that," he said. "It was one of those games we could have won but I don't know if we should have. We were not fully deserving of the win and we didn't play as well as we could have done. The weather, the conditions, the pitch and the preparations were all perfect but maybe because it was the first Schools' Cup game for the boys they were a bit in awe of the occasion and the crowd. We have done the post-match analysis and there was some honest reflection among the lads watching the video, and they all know they didn't play anywhere near their capability. We've had our first training session back now and the boys are looking a lot sharper. If anything they are more determined now. They are backing themselves to go away and get the win."

Adrian is basing his opinion on a lifetime of rugby experience. He played largely as a number eight and second row during his career, and having played at a high level in England moved to Northern Ireland to play All Ireland rugby with Ballymena. He then took up a role as a rugby development officer with the IRFU before moving to Fermanagh to take on the responsibility of coaching the 1st XV at Portora. He was quick to recognise the potential quality of the squad and has helped tailor the team's tactics to suit their strengths. "They are a very mobile team, so we don't aim to play a slow game," he said. "The boys aren't huge so we aren't playing a tight game but rather a dynamic attacking style of rugby. You have to adapt the style to the players you have and they are all young, agile and reasonably quick. You have to try and turn that into a positive and all our set plays and line out options are all based on free flowing rugby."

And he reckons victory in the replay would be a suitable reward for the hard work put in by the players in recent months. "They put in a phenomenal amount of training that would equal any professional player," he revealed. "They have two early morning weight sessions every week at 7 o'clock on Monday and Wednesday and they are on the pitches Monday, Tuesday and Thursday after school. They have a Wednesday games period that I take rugby with them as well in addition to the match, so it is taken very seriously."

If Portora do overcome Dalriada they have been handed a home draw against familiar foes Regent House on January 28.

"We played them early in the season when we were missing a few boys and although we lost narrowly it was one of those games we maybe should have won," said Adrian. "It was early in the season and wasn't reflective of where we are now. I'm not being unrealistic when I hope for a fourth round tie, and then you never know in cup rugby. If you get a home draw you might just get lucky."

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This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 19 Jan 12

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