No redemption as Portora concede late again

Editorial Department • Published 26 Jan 2012 13:00 0 Comments

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Joel Johnston on the attack for Portora as they agonisingly exited the Schools' Cup.

Dalriada 1st XV 18; Portora 1st XV 16;

Portora were dumped out of the Schools Cup after a roller coaster replay to Dalriada that saw fortunes swing one way and then the other.

After coming within seconds of winning the match at the first attempt on their home ground seven days previously before a last second try condemned them to a replay, Portora were hoping for better luck on their opponent's pitch.

Despite a much improved performance, however, once again they lost a lead late in the game, and this time there was to be no chance of redemption.

"I thought we were the better team, and we were all gutted to lose," admitted Portora's head of rugby Damian Dempster. "We played far better in this second game than the first, and we gave everything. It was a great game of cup rugby. I looked at Dalriada with ten minutes to go and they looked out on their feet and resigned to defeat. We didn't really push on though, and maybe we thought we would hang on and had done enough, but you've got to keep fighting to the last second."

Following the first match between the sides Portora were keen to put in a much improved performance and they started brightly, exerting pressure inside the Dalriada 22. They could not convert their early dominance into points however, and they suddenly found themselves behind. A garryowen from Jonny Allen was poorly dealt with by the Portora defence and Jack Magee hacked the ball and outran the defence to touch down. Jonny Laughlin added the conversion to give the Dalriada team a 7-0- lead.

Minutes later the gap widened to 12 points after a scrum led to a break by the flanker Angus Jinks. After making an initial run into Portora territory the ball was moved wide to Johnny Allen, who powered his way over in the corner for an unconverted try.

Portora managed to get on the scoreboard just before the break when a good period of possession led to a penalty in front of the posts. Scrum-half Patrick McCleery converted to leave the half time score 12-3.

Rather than drop their heads, Portora seemed galvanised as the second period got underway, and they hauled themselves back into the game in spectacular fashion. Norman Gamble added another penalty just minutes into the half to chip away at the Dalriada lead and reduce the arrears to 12-6.

A poor Dalriada chase from a box kick allowed Jonny Magwood to counter and the winger outpaced the defence to score underneath the posts. McCleery was again successful with his conversion kick to give the visitors a 13-12 lead that had looked unlikely in the first half.

Panic seemed to set in among the Dalriada ranks as the Portora purple patch showed no sign of abating. The Portora pressure did not relent and Norman Gamble scored an unconverted try after a number of phases to make it 18-12.

Having opened up a six point cushion however, Portora let Dalriada back into the match when they gave away a soft penalty and saw the gap narrowed to three points.

With just minutes left the home team won another penalty, and they kicked for touch before driving the ball over the try line from the resulting line out to break Portora hearts and make it 20-18.

The team will have to lift themselves quickly however. This Saturday they face Antrim Grammar School in the quarter final of the Ulster Schools Plate, where they will be looking to wipe out the taste of defeat with a win in front of their home support.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 26 Jan 12

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