Portarlington dig deep to take the points and halt Garda progress

Leinster League Division 2B 

Portarlington 27 

Garda Westmanstown 26 

PORTARLINGTON came out on top by just a single point in the penultimate game of this season's Leinster League Division 2B on Sunday afternoon, edging out Garda Westmanstown in an eight-try classic at Lea Road.

There was nothing to choose between the clubs when they faced off earlier in the season, with Portarlington earning an 11-all draw in Westmanstown back in early November, and it was a similarly close affair in the spring sunshine.

The home side had the bonus point wrapped up by the 65th minute, but Portarlington were unable to shake off Garda and it took a penalty late on to see the Laois club get over the line.

Portarlington came into the weekend with their fate sealed - too far behind Portlaoise and Roscrea to make it into the top two, and far enough ahead of the rest of the pack to be assured of a third-place finish.

Garda began the weekend second-from-bottom in the league, sandwiched in between Midland Warriors and bottom side Arklow, with little more than pride left to play for as the season reaches its anticlimactic conclusion for the Dublin-based outfit.

The home side got on top early, with the scrum and lineout both working well in the early stages and opened the scoring after 15 minutes with a great try out wide from Aaron Costello.

Portarlington continued to pile on the pressure and doubled the lead ten minutes later when number eight Jack Hennessy powered over for his side's second try.

Fly half Andrew Evans added the conversion to make it 12-0 with 26 minutes on the clock at a sunny Lea Road.

Garda Westmanstown fought back and found parity in the second quarter, putting a converted try on the board just before half time to reduce the gap to five points.

But Portarlington had one last score in them before the break, with a sniping run from Darragh Perry seeing the scrum half cross over for a this try for the hosts. His half back partner Andrew Evan slotted the conversion to leave Portarlington 12 points to good, leading 19-7 at the halfway point.

Garda were the better of the two teams after the restart and went over for a second try 13 minutes into the half, with the conversion going over again to reduce the deficit back to five points.

Portarlington regrouped midway through the half doubled their advantage in the 65th minute when marauding centre Jack Hynes went over for the try, guaranteeing Portarlington a four-try bonus point at the very least.

Five minutes later, however, another try from the visitors left Garda only five points behind heading into the last ten minutes.

Andrew Evans opted for a penalty moments later to stretch the Portarlington lead to eight points - a decision that would prove decisive by the end of the game.

Garda went in for their fourth try of day in 77th minute, with the conversion leaving them just a point adrift.

But Portarlington held on for the win, their ninth of the campaign.

This coming weekend marks the final round of fixtures in Division 2B, with Portarlington at home to Midland Warriors at 3pm on Sunday.

SCORERS:

Portarlington: Aaron Costello, Darragh Perry, Jack Hennessy and Jack Hynes (1 try each), Andrew Evans (1 pen, 2 cons).

PORTARLINGTON: Ron Miguel Meras; Simon Doggett, Jordan Fitzpatrick, Jack Hynes, Reinas Balakauskas; Andrew Evans, Darragh Perry; Aaron Costello, Conor Perry, James Dunne; Toby Neilson-Dry, Jason Yellop; Craig Shaw, Warren Murray, Jack Hennessy.

Replacements: Fintan Murphy, Devlin Jack McLaughlin, Denville Maya, Gavin Crampton, Jack McCann, Peter Dunne, Théo McGrath.

GARDA WESTMANSTOWN: Ryan Treanor; Alan Murphy, Anthony Castillo, Michael Byrne, David Dunne; Michael Russell, Senan Morris; Mark McDonald, Vincent Lyons, Ciaran Allen; Shane Deegan, Paul Kelly; Gary Crowe, Paddy Nally, Brendan D'Arcy.

Replacements: Jack Bermingham, Matthew O'Connell, Colm Carroll, Robert Kihls.

Referee: Dave Morris.