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Portadown RFC U14 – 0 Carrickfergus RFC U14 – 27
Carrickfergus RFC U14 made the journey to a sunny Chambers Park on Saturday and came away resounding victors in a 27 – 0 score line which was made up of five tries and one conversion.
Portadown, although being the home team, were unable to field a full XV so it fell to Carrick to let them have three players. This had a two fold positive effect, making the fixture a meaningful game of rugby and ensuring that all of the Carrickfergus players and bench got a full game.
The hosts started brightly with their Carrick imports featuring strongly for them but Carrick soon got into their stride and exerted pressure in the Portadown half.
From a melee of scrappy play Carrick were able to move the ball right for their winger to outstrip the home defence and cross for the first try of the game.
Another try was soon to follow with the same player breaching the home backline before beating their last defender on the outside and then touching down behind the posts.
The conversion attempt, as had the first one, was missed but Carrick were now 10 points ahead of their Chambers Park hosts and generally well in control.
Carrick’s third try of the half arrived just before the break after a concerted effort by the forwards setting the platform for another try again near to the posts.
A change of goal kicker brought success with the conversion sailing through the posts for a deserved 0 – 17 lead to Carrick.
A feature of the half was good ball carrying by both props and the pick and drive by the locks. The Carrick number 8 also had some effective runs from the base of the scrum which although shaky at first solidified as the half progressed.
For the amount of possession generated however Carrick should have been further ahead.
A habit which is not unique to Carrick by the way was to honey-
At half time the Carrick players on loan to Portadown returned to their own team and were replaced by a further three Carrick players.
This led to a much more even contest in the second half, but Carrick still remained in control.
Great work at the base of scrum, ruck & maul by the new Carrick scrumhalf ensured not only a steady stream of ball for the backs but proved constant disruption to Portadown’s possession.
Although becoming tired now in the strong morning sun, the Carrick forwards maintained their effort. Portadown were rejuvenated by the inclusion of a couple of late arrival substitutes and the game swung in their favour for a while.
Carrick however weathered the storm and two late tries the last by one of the hardworking
ball-
The whistle was blown by the very efficient referee and Carrick had gained a good victory and valuable 15 a side game experience. A good team performance overall and with some bright individual performances this team has a lot to look forward to.
Coaches will have to address players carrying the ball one handed, failure to pass to better placed players and general set up at kick off, drop outs and broken play both in defence & attack.
Players should be at training on Wednesday nights warmed up, stretched and ready to go at 7pm.With only one more game before the league starts there is lots of work to be done but still ample time to impress the coaches and gain a starting place in the team.
Final Score Portadown RFC U14 – 0 Carrickfergus RFC U14 – 27 (5T,1 Con)
Under 16 match report
A greatly weakened under 16,s side travelled to Portadown for a friendly. The under strength pack put up a a stubborn display against a large Portadown outfit. Nathan Wilson and Johnny Murray leading the way up front with Peter Simpson and Adam Lusty outstanding in a largely on the defensive back line. Carrick held out up to 10 mins before half time when two injuries in the already overstretched pack left the team struggling. Portadown capitalising with two quick tries. Half time CRFC 0 Portadown 10. The second half continued with Portadown on the attack resulting in two further tries created from poor kicking mistakes in the Carrick back line.
The last quarter saw Carrick up the pace and intensity culminating in a well deserved try from Carricks out half Alex Scott.
The final score Carrick 7 Portadown 20.
Under 18 match report
3 Out of 3 for Carrick
Carrick U18’s travelled to Portadown on Saturday and chalked up their third
victory on the trot 22-
The Reds were always in control of this game but some very dubious refereeing decisions did make the outcome rather less clear in the second half.
Playing against a stiff breeze Carrick struck early after some great interposing through no.8 Gareth Bernard, Whittal converted. The second try came from left wing Craig Meaklim after Carrick had driven strongly from deep inside their own territory.
At this point Carrick were cruising and one more score might have started an avalanche. However an injury to prop James Graham upset the balance and in the 47th minute of the first half Portadown took their chance and scored wide on the left.
Early in the second half a great clearance by Luke Whital set up a lineout on the Portadown 5m line and from the ensuing maul hooker Karl Turkington crashed over for an unconverted try.
As speculative kick by the Portadown out half was gathered well by their inside centre and he raced under the posts to bring the home team back into the game. Again Carrick stormed back and Fionntan Arkins, back at the club after a long absence made a great break through the Portadown defence to send Bernard over for his second try of the game.
The match was anxiously concluded for Carrick when Portadown player miles offside intercepted a pass and ran the length of the field to score. Carrick held on for a well deserved win despite the scoreline.
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Kiddo
.Youth Report, 27-