Portarlington pick up vital bonus point

Portarlongton RFC picked up a well deserved and potentially vital away bonus point in appalling conditions in Wicklow on Sunday.

RUGBY: Leinster League Division 1B

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Wicklow 26

Portarlington 20

Two tries from captain Ross Doyle, which Kieran Hyland converted, along with two Hyland penalties wasn’t enough to overcome a powerful Wicklow side but the one point picked up could yet prove very important come the end of the season.

In this third versus fourth clash, superiority up front was always going to be vital in tough conditions and an already understrength Port’ pack found it difficult to cope with injuries to prop Andrew Wilkinson and the highly influential second row Stephen Oakley.

The resulting Wicklow superiority at set piece time meant that Port had to soak up a lot of pressure throughout and in the end it required a late penalty kick from Hyland, who secured last week’s home win against Lonford with an injury time conversion, to salvage the losing bonus point.

Despite the defeat Port remain in a strong position in Division 1B of and will be confident of returning to winning ways when they travel to Clondalkin in two weeks.

The league has reached the half way stage and Port, who have now played all teams above them in the league away from home, will feel that the second half of the season could prove to be even more fruitful that the first has been for the side who were last season promoted as champions of Division 2A.

Upcoming Fixtures: Sunday December 2nd Away v Clondalkin (Kingswood) at 2.30pm ; Saturday December 8th Home (Lee Road) v Tullow at 2.00pm