FOURTHS BLOWN AWAY BY PORTS
BANBRIDGE 4THs 0 Portadown 3  8 
January 17, 2009

This Junior League game was played out last Saturday at Rifle Park in the most atrocious weather conditions imaginable.

To their credit both sides attempted to construct a meaningful contest, but the gale-force wind and icy rain were the masters. Portadown had the elements in their favour in the first half, although if that gave them a territorial advantage it also made passing very hazardous.

They managed to break through Bann’s defence for an unconverted try midway through the half, adding a penalty before the break to take an eight point lead into the second half.

Bann enjoyed the same mix of advantages and drawbacks after the interval. But despite their best efforts they were unable to put points on the board. Centre Andy Cowan made a strong case for a try after a clearance kick had been charged down behind the Portadown line. He appeared to have won the race to touch down the squirming ball, but the unsighted referee decided on a “22” drop-out to the visitors.

The referee, with the agreement of both captains, had wisely decided to limit the action to 30 minutes each way. And his final blast on the hour came as a merciful relief to both teams, who by that stage were more interested in getting into a hot shower than in the result.