Portlaoise go top of the table but it is all still to play for
Portlaoise players leaving the pitch after getting the better of Arklow on Sunday
Arklow 3
Portlaoise 31
IN some of the worst conditions I have ever seen to teams having to endure, Portlaoise put in a determined display to get the better of Arklow at the Oval on Sunday. Persistent rain a strong wind and a very cut up pitch made it most difficult for the two teams.
A much changed Portlaoise needed to win if they were to keep the pressure on Roscrea as we reach the business end of the season. This they did but for 30 minutes they were put under a lot of pressure by the home side.
Despite playing into the wind n the opening half it was Portlaoise who opened the scoring nine minutes in. In spite of the horrendous conditions Portlaoise put together some very impressive running rugby. This time Euan McCann, Kevin Griffin, Joe McCormack and Jamie Holohan moved the ball swiftly. The latter was stopped short of the line and from the ensuing ruck Mark Sherlock burst on to Jake Byrne’s pass and crashed over. McCann converted.
Ten minutes later when putting an attack together Arklow spilled the ball. Portlaoise gathered and as they bore down on the Arklow line the home defence were penalised and McCann split the posts.
On the 25 minute mark Portlaoise scored a thrilling try. From a lineout Cormac Rigney fed an inside pas to Dara Davies who strode 40 metres down the middle of the pitch before linking up with the supporting Kevin Griffen to score. Again McCann was on the mark and the visitors led by 17.
Three minutes later Arklow converted a penalty but amazingly that was to be their only score of the game. They did come close to adding a try on 30 minutes but their prop was held up denied by Sherlock and Griffin.
They had one more chance just before the break but their full back was off the mark with a relatively easy penalty.
With a 14 point advantage and now playing with the aid of the wind, the concern was that Portlaoise might become complacent, but they didn’t. They continued to tear into their opponents despite putting on some early pressure.
Just four minutes after the restart the Arklow backs spilled the ball under pressure and McCormack somehow gathered the ball on the run racing half the length of the pitch before offloading to Marc Bracken who cut inside the defence to score, with McCann adding the extras.
Making light of the conditions McCormack got on the scoresheet for Portlaoise bonus point try after a fabulous backline move and McCann’s conversion brought Portlaoise total to 31.
Substitute Mark Kelly next converted a penalty in the 51st minute.
With four minutes of normal time remaining Cormac Rigney wrapped up the try scoring when taking a pass from Kelly and cut through the cover. Kelly’s conversion was the score that brought Portlaoise’s tally to 41 points.
While each and every member of the panel did their bit on Sunday it was particularly positive to note how some of the fringe players performed. Coming back after an absence of a number of weeks McCann gave a very assured display at out half and landing all his kicks.
Another player who has not had a lot of game time recently, Iain Corrigan impressed at full back in the horrible conditions while novice prop dan Breen is improving with every outing. It was great to see Henry Rigney make his senior debut and he made some stunning hits.
The win sees Portlaoise top of the table for the first time this season, three points ahead of Roscrea who were not playing at the weekend. This was due to the fact that Portlaoise’s game was brought forward a week as they are out in the Provincial Towns Cup next Sunday when they will play Newbridge in Togher.
Roscrea are away to Midland Warriors next weekend and regardless of how that game pans out, the automatic promotion place will got to whoever wins between Portlaoise and Roscrea the following Sunday with the loser having to play the promotion playoff.
PORTLAOISE: Iain Corrigan; Jamie Holohan, Joe McCormack, Kevin Griffin, Marc Bracken; Euan McCann, Jake Byrne; Dan Breen, Ryan McEvoy, Aran Coiley; Michael Rigney; Dara Davis; Mark Sherlock, Cormac Rigney, Liam Doyle.
Replacements: Daniel Breen, Joe Stevens, Eoin Keenen, Cian Coffey, Mark Kelly, Jack Duffin, Oisin Hade.
