Ports stretch lead at top of AIL Division Three

By Ciaran Donaghy – 27 October 2008

Portadown increased their lead at the top of the Division Three with a narrow 5-3 win in Connacht over Connemara.

Hika Reid’s side were the only team to win in the top four and they take a three point lead into the cup and international break before third place Suttonians visit Chambers Park in the next round of matches.

Once again the Ports had to come from behind to seal the four points. Conditions dictated the game although both sides tried to move the ball.

Connacht out half Troy Nathan scored the only points of the first half with a penalty.

Kiwi full back Tom Overy scored the winning try on 54 minutes, he missed the conversion and Dave Whitten missed a penalty before Nathan pushed a late drop goal attempt wide.

Queen’s slipped to sixth in the table as they suffered a disappointing defeat at Nenagh.

The students couldn’t cope with the monsoon conditions and trailed 10-5 at the break.

David Delaney landed a penalty and converted an incept try by Eoin Gardiner.

Ulster U20 prop Paul Karayiannis pulled a try back for the students.

Ian Port’s penalty reduced the gap to two points but another Delaney penalty saw the Tipperary side home.

The revival at Hamilton Park continued as Ards recorded their second win of the season with a 17-10 win over Naas.

The Leinster side could only build up a 10-0 half-time lead with the benefit of the wind.

David Aherne kicked a penalty and converted a Henry Bryce try.

David Armstrong started the comeback for Ards with a try which Ajay Derwin converted and he levelled the scores with a penalty.

Front rower Kieran Ramage crashed over for a maul to get Ards second try and Derwin converted. Rainey earned two pints with a 3-3 draw at Hatrick Park against Carlow.

The result lifts them out of the relegation zone following a difficult start to the season.

A Michael Glancy penalty two minutes from the end restored parity.

Banbridge slumped to a third defeat in four games as Barnhall won 9-3 in Dublin.

It was their first victory of the season with Mike Carty kicking three penalties to one by Neville Farr.