Portarlington claim Old Wesley Challenge Plate

Portarlington U-17’s captured the Old Wesley Challenge Plate in dramatic fashion last Saturday after a tense finale with local rivals Newbridge. After travelling up that morning Port found themselves placed in a varied group with teams from Leinster, Munster, Ulster and the Dublin Metro League.

Port started with a hard fought victory over Roscrea, bouncing back from a 0-3 half time deficit with a super individual effort from Christopher McCormack, converted by team Captain Keith Kavanagh. The final score, 7-3.

Next up Port took on tournament favourites Waterpark, from Waterford. Both teams really looked to take the game to each other but their respective outstanding defensive efforts were cancelling each other out. Unfortunately in the dying moments a score did come when Waterpark drove a maul over the Port line to prevail 0-7.

Port bounced back immediately with victory over Enniskillen. Another try from McCormack, converted by Anavil Storey, put Port on their way early on. Sean Higgins added to this just after the break, Kavanagh’s conversion making it 14-0. The Ulstermen did launch a late fight back after the sending off of Port’s James Brennan but a single try was not enough as Port clocked up a second win, 14-5.

Next up Port took on Lansdowne in what was essentially the Plate semi final. Port got off to a great start when centre Mikey Boyhan took advantage of an opportunistic bounce to race through with only two minutes gone. Lansdowne looked to work their way back into the game but Port’s dominance up front kept them at bay. An unconverted try from Lansdowne did narrow the gap briefly but Kavanagh pushed Port further ahead with a well struck penalty, leaving the final 
score 10-5.

This put Port through to the Plate Final with fellow North Midlands side Newbridge. Port got off to the worst possible start when a brilliant individual effort saw Newbridge cross in the corner for a 0-5 lead. Port responded in the best manner possible and played most of the remainder of the game deep inside the Newbridge half. Port were unlucky not to score when an incisive move from Aaron Colbert was ruled out for crossing but did get in through Kavanagh who broke four tackles on his way to the line.

At 5-5 the game went into sudden death extra time. From the off Port looked to play to their strengths and keep the ball tight as much as possible. A break down the right wing from Karolis Skudra took Port inside the Newbridge 22 and as the pack worked through the phases Newbridge were forced into the concession of a penalty kick. Kavanagh showed great nerves to strike the pressure kick and hand victory to Port on an 8-5 scoreline.

Squad: James Henry, Ciaran Kavanagh, Sean Byrne, Jack Hennessy, Fintan Murphy, Alex Whittle, Karolis Skudra, Cian McKeagney, Owen O’Donnell, Mitchell Ryan, Warren Murray, Robert Pigott, James Brennan, Keith Kavanagh, Cormac O’Hora, Christopher McCormack, Mikey Boyhan, Aaron Colbert, Sean Higgins, Simon Doggett, Anavil Storey, Aidan Bryan, Liam Gaughan, Mikie Moore.