24th March 2008

Report by Ulster Gazette:

ARMAGH served up magnificent rugby on Monday afternoon when they hammered neighbours Portadown 49-06. The City side scored eight tries in the process and also prevented the opposition from crossing the Armagh line.

Certainly, Portadown were not able to field as strong a team as they would have wished but that was their option. Naturally enough, their ambition to return to senior rugby outweighed any desire for a junior cup.

So, Armagh took total advantage of the situation to pull off the first-half of their cup double ambition. As is customary for Armagh this season, it is hard to determine whether the backs or forwards were the more effective but the end result was a first-class all-round team performance.

The pack drove the opposition back at every opportunity, even looking for push-over tries from opposition feeds. This does demonstrate their self-confidence. Above all, their use of line-outs close to the Portadown line was a killing weapon. Small wonder that kicks were put down to the corner where there was a good chance of seven points instead of three.

The line-outs were, as usual, a sure source of possession and, indeed, many opposition throw-ins were stolen. The breeze meant that the back of the line-out was not used as much as usual but Eddie Orr and Davy Martin did great work. All the forwards enjoyed handling and running with the ball.

The backs also had a field day. The three-quarter line was always looking for openings and the pace of Ralph Mercer and Stuart Lester was a match-winning feature. Johnny Allen and Johnny Steenson were always looking for gaps. The half-backs, Eoghan Curran and Chris Black, provided the perfect link to continue the barrage of attacks. Another useful aspect was the defensive effort of all, which prevented Portadown from scoring any tries.

All five replacements were used during the game and, the fact that Armagh kept up their attacking options to the very end of the game, demonstrates what a strong squad Colin Steenson has at his disposal. The breeze was diagonal, across the pitch, and the sun was strong. Portadown made a poor start, putting their kick-off into touch. From the resultant scrum Armagh gained possession and kept up good pressure.

They got a penalty award and Steenson, as usual, put it down to the corner flag. Armagh attacked across field but failed to hold on in the opposite corner. Portadown got into the Armagh half after six minutes and Curran was hurt as he made ground upfield. Mercer also had to put in a decisive tackle as his marker made much ground. From the line-out, the pack drove hard and Ali Birch got in for the first try, which went unconverted.

Mercer made great ground down his wing but was injured in the process. Lester came across the field from his flank and linked with his opposite winger. Mercer made good progress and kicked ahead well. From the good position gained, Armagh won the ball from a scrum and Orr got a good unconverted try, to put Armagh 10-0 in front.

The breeze was so strong that Steenson had to have the ball held for his successful penalty kick. Another penalty was run and Brian Patterson took it on and made ground before passing to Martin who ran 30 metres to score between the posts, making the conversion easier, to bring the score up to 20-0. However, Portadown hit back with two good penalty kicks to bring the half-time score to 20-06.

Brian Bassett was then replaced by Jamie Cornett. Lester had another good run and a Portadown prop was yellow-carded for stopping him illegallly. From a five-metre scrum Curran fed Mercer who went in for a try on the blind-side. No conversion, but 25-6 to Armagh. A different type of try came next when Alistair Redpath sold a dummy and went through for a try at the posts, which was converted, bringing the score up to 32-06.

Orr was replaced by Joe Clarke, with James Morton moving over to No 8. James Johnston was replaced at hooker by Andrew Morton. Another three-quarter try followed, with Johnny Allen going through in typical style to score. Patterson then went off injured and was replaced by Richard Morton.

Redpath was replaced by Sam Sheppard. Steenson put in a great run from 30 metres to score a try, which was converted by Melvyn Hopps to bring the score up to 44-06.

Mercer had the line at his mercy, only to be ruled as having a foot in touch. Patterson resumed after his injury.

The last Armagh try came from a typical forward drive and Clarke touched down in the right corner. The try was not converted, to the disappointment of those who wanted to see Armagh hit another 50, so the final score was 49-06.

This result should diminish the disappointment which Armagh felt after their two league defeats and Portadown will be able to concentrate on their efforts to climb back into senior rugby.

With confidence high following the Cup victory, Armagh are looking to continue their good form in the League and extend their Cup success in the Junior Cup, especially with a home draw in the Palace Grounds, on April 5th.

Success here would be followed by another home semi-final game on April 12th.

Armagh team: Johnny Steenson, Ralph Mercer, Jonathan Allen, Alistair Redpath, Stuart Lester, Chris Black, Eoghan Curran, Eddie Orr, Alistair Birch, James Morton, Brian Bassett, David Martin, Mervyn Hopps, James Johnston, Brian Patterson. Replacements: R Morton, J Clarke, A Morton, J Shepherd, J Cornett.