Portadown 20 - 25 Corinthians

Chambers Park was in great condition for the renewal of the McCready Cup, which was not played last season as Portadown were demoted to junior status and bounced back after one season there. Corinthians got off to a flyer after being awarded a penalty in the first minute which was converted by centre Wayne Williams. The home side levelled the score after four minutes which was converted by Dave Whitten. The Portadown side, which were playing against a strong wind, took on the Corinthian pack and drove forward which set their outhalf O Montells to get the ball out to winger Steve Coulter who touched down in the corner. The visitors woke up after that with Pat Cunningham stealing a great ball in the lineout and getting it out to Dave Murphy with Classens coming in from fullback collecting same to touch down out wide. This left the score at eight points apiece. The Corinthian pack started to get on top at this stage with newcomer under 20’s prop James Robinson settling in very well. Darren Classens got in for another score after scrum half Mick Roche chipped on for the fullback to touch down. Wayne Williams converted this to put Corinthians into the lead by eight points to fifteen at the break. The visitors stuck to their task in the second half with their backs driving well together which resulted in captain Pat Cunningham getting in for a fine try which then left the visitors leading by 8 points to 20. Portadown had not given up using the wind and got into the visitors 25 with scrum half Paul Spence picking up the ball and going over for a touch down which was converted by Whitten. Corinthians got stuck in again and sub James Buckley got in for a try in the corner after a fine break by Roche. As there was only five minutes remaining, the visitors thought they had the job done but the home side kept plugging away and they were eventually rewarded when winger Tim Overy got over to score. Referee Mark Cargan who handled the game well blew the final whistle with the home side losing by twenty points to twenty five. This was a fine display by the Corinthian side which now go into a three week break and have a chance to recharge their batteries.
Corinthian Team J Robinson, D Bardon, D Small, P Cunningham, G Ward, S Gerrit y[B McCann], A Cassanova, [T Linnane],R Connelan, M Roche, M O Boyle, D Murphy, C Beglet, W Williams,[[J Buckley],R Forbes, D Classens.