Purvis posts points to help seniors seal away success at CIYMS but seconds suffer knockout blow in cup fixture

Olivier Montels picked up an injury on duty for Portadown seconds. Pic by Matthew Wickham.

The 22-6 victory arrived with Ryan Purvis posting a penalty, conversion points and try as part of the strong team display.

Neil Irwin junior was selected as the pick of the Portadown panel, with captain James Carleton sparking the scoring with the game’s first try inside the opening moments.

CIYMS registered back-to-back penalties without reply to hold control at 6-5 before Purvis made his mark with a penalty.

The second half featured sustained pressure that produced tries for Dan Tully and Purvis which the latter converted on both occasions.

Portadown seconds’ Crawford Cup date finished in a 20-17 defeat despite a spirited display against Instonians.

It marked the team’s first match in six weeks, against a side placed higher up the league ladder by two divisions.

Two penalties provided Instonians with control before Portadown hit back to dominate scrum and line-out.

One promising move failed to result in any reward and Instonians registered back-to-back converted tries.

Portadown managed to regroup from the 20-0 deficit at half-time - with Stephen Buckley crossing the line before Ruairi Quinn added to the team tally.

John Purdy pushed the scoreline to 20-17 courtesy of a Craig Woods conversion.

Portadown under 17s’ training fixture against Dungannon resulted in a 17-0 reverse, with the town teenagers displaying enhanced form across the second half.

The morning schedule at Chambers Park will start at 9.45 with mini-rugby against Dromore before the Portadown College side’s Schools’ Cup tie from 10.30 ahead of the club’s under 14s and under 16s from 11.30 against Cavan.

In other club news, the financial annual general meeting is planned for January 28 from 8 o’clock.

Congratulations go to William Holden following his selection for Ulster under 19s.

Key dates have been established as follows in the Portadown Panthers learning disability tag rugby calendar: February 13: Valentine’s dinner and disco (Chambers Park, 7.30); February 20: Season restart (Chambers Park, 9.20 for 9.30); March 19/26: Easter break; April 23: Portadown Panthers festival (Chambers Park, 1-4 o’clock); May 8: Ballyclare Hares festival (away); June 10-12: Wooden Spoon International (away).