Late drama as Portarlington and Garda share the points in Dublin
Eoin Worrell scored Portarlington's only try against Garda Westmanstown on Sunday Photo: Alf Harvey
PORTARLINGTON'S sensational start to the season saw them relinquish their 100% record, though they extend their unbeaten run in Division 2B of the Leinster League with a hard-fought draw away to Garda Westmanstown.
The Laois club had won all five of their opening fixtures, picking up winning bonus points in all but one of those victories. The two points they collected here are good enough to see them hold on to second place in the table behind Roscrea.
Dublin side, Garda Westmanstown, came into the game in 5th place with a 50/50 record of two wins and two defeats.
Neither side were able to assert themselves in a battling first half either in the set piece or in open play. Both teams went to their power games to try find some front-foot ball, but it was defences on top throughout.
Portarlington have the most miserly defence in the league, conceding less than half the number of points of the next closest side, Roscrea; and that stubborn attitude saw them keep a clean sheet in the first half.
Only Portlaoise have scored more than Port so far this season, but Ross Doyle's men managed only one score in the opening 40 minutes - a penalty from fly half Jason Keogh - as the visitors led just 3-0 at half time.
Garda Westmanstown scored the first try of the game ten minutes into the second half and added a penalty moments later to put five points between the sides.
Keogh landed his second penalty in the 68th minute as Portarlington closed the gap to two points, and four minutes later they regained the lead thanks to a wonderful try from full back Eoin Worrell.
The dagger in Port's heart came two minutes from full time when a Garda penalty brought the sides level.
There was an exciting finish to proceedings as Portarlington went close to snatching a winner. Garda intercepted a stray pass, however, and looked as though they were going to go from their own 22 all the way to Portarlington's try line, but an unbelievable chase from Andrew Evans saw him make a critical tackle five meters out before the visitors turned the ball over and booted it out to safety.
Portarlington's next fixture in the Leinster League is not until November 30th when they welcome top-of-the-table Roscrea to Lea Road.
Eoin Worrell (1 try), Jason Keogh (2 pens).
Eoin Worrell; Anavil Storey, Denville Maya, Jack Hynes, Reinas Balakauskas; Jason Keogh, Darragh Perry; Daragh Jewell, Jack Hennessy, James Dunne; Toby Neilson-Dry, Jack McCann; Warren Murray, Craig Shaw, Dylan Stronge.
Conor Perry, Devlin Mclaughlin, Jason Yellop, Théo McGrath, Jordan Fitzpatrick, Jason Keogh, Jamie Delaney, Andrew Evans.
Anthony Castillo; Aaron Grattan, Stephen O'Neill, Michael Byrne, Cillian Walsh; Robin Schiller, Gavin Maher; Mark McDonald, Neil Costigan, Ciaran Allen; Paddy Nally, Michael Russell; Vincent Lyons Matthew O'Connell, Brendan D'Arcy.
Eoin Holland, Jack Bermingham, Aaron Crowe, Colm Carroll, David Dunne.
David Cogan.
