Packie hattrick not enough as Thirds 'Downed by Ports Share
Portadown 2nds 49 BANBRIDGE 3RDs 19September 30, 2011
The match started with both teams throwing the ball around, despite the conditions, and only some great defence from both sides prevented early scores. All the players were having difficulty fielding high balls under floodlights and Portadown soon kicked themselves into a position from where they could run in their first try. Bann responded well, but were unable to secure much possession from set pieces, and this was to prove their downfall. For although Bann looked good with the ball in hand, they didn't have enough of it stay in touch. Portadown ultimately ran in nine tries to Bann's three, all of which were scored by Packie Downey on his comeback game. Andy Craig worked particularly hard in the pack along with Matthew Bird and James Mathers, the latter doing a good job in his first game at No 8. In the backs, Kris Coleman and Francois Viljoen distributed the ball well to centres William Taylor and Calum Boland, both of whom tried hard in defence and attack. Anthony Malloy on the wing made a super break and then deftly chipped ahead for one of Downey's three tries. All in all, the score possibly flattered Portadown slightly but Bann have plenty to work on. The team has been very unsettled this season and if they could gain a bit of stability in the pack they could go on to achieve better results and notch up a few victories in this very competitive league. 
Bann Thirds travelled to Portadown last Friday night to take on their second string in a league encounter under floodlights. It was a very wet night and the pitch was particularly slippy after a day's heavy rain.