Shuffled Dromore side outscore Ports

Dromore 30

Portadown 15

DROMORE hosted Portadown in a Junior Cup first round tie on sat last at Barban Hill.

They shuffled their players this week in an attempt to inject some much needed game management to their play, Rory Pepper returned to the No 8 slot and Chris Brigl moved into out half with Sammy Russell moving to full back. Ali Kinghan also came in on the wing.

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Portadown started the stronger and Dromore's failure to clear the ball increased the pressure until Brigl was charged down and the Portadown winger pounced to put Portadown 5 - 0 up.

Dromore came back strongly and began to dominate the set plays. Two Brigl penalties put Dromore in the lead until former Dromore player Gareth Martin broke the cover defence to score on half time to leave it 12-6 in the visitors favour.

After the break Dromore picked un another Brigl penalty and when Harshaw turned the ball over on halfway quick hands by the Dromore backs put Russell in space. He raced to the line for the try and Brigl converted to put Dromore 16-12 ahead.

Portadown fought back but Dromore's defence was well organised.

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With 20 minutes to go Brigl made an outside break from a lineout and cut the Portadown defence in two to score under the posts. He converted his own try to put Dromore 23-12 ahead.

Portadown worked the Dromore defence again but could only manage a penalty before Dromore wrapped up the game when Brigl put Chris Leathem in under the sticks after fine work by Dromore's industrious pack.

Assistant coach Campbell said, "The game produced a magnificent fight back from Dromore and although there are still areas that we need to work on it was a well won and exciting cup game. It could be the spark to ignite Dromore's season after two poor performances in the League."

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