Anderson Cup

Swords 8 Portlaoise 24

TWO LATE tries in the second half gave Portlaoise a healthy winning margin over Swords seconds in the Anderson Cup on Sunday, but the home side can feel rightly aggrieved at the difference in the scoreline. The Greens had plenty of possession and had a legitimate shout for a penalty try midway through the second half that was turned down.

It may have been the turning point, as Portlaoise pulled away with two further scores to wrap up the game. The visitors had started brightly, breaking away twice to take an early 14-0 lead, before Swords responded well. Quick thinking from backrow Mossie Merrigan saw the Limerickman tap a penalty and crash over from close range, after great pressure from the Swords pack.

Dave Cahill couldn¹t convert, but his penalty put Swords within touching distance, as they trailed 14-8 at half-time. More pressure from the Swords pack very nearly gave them another score at the restart, but it was the Laois side that eventually pulled away. A score from the pack left Swords chasing two scores to get back in contention and to their credit their forwards pressed hard.

A series of penalties, resulting from the visitors consistently infringing, gave Swords their chance, but they were denied what looked a clear penalty try under the Portlaoise posts, with the referee instead awarding a defending scrum. In the end, Portlaoise added another score from a break, to run out 24-8 winners. On the plus side, John Condron made a big impact for Swords at second row, while Cahill caught the eye in the centre and Fiachra Coll impressed in the pack. The first XV are back in action on Sunday, with a trip to Newbridge for a Towns Plate second round tie, having received a bye in the first round draw.

SWORDS RFC: O. McDonnell; H. Croezen, D. Cahill, A. Dodsley, R. McBride; J. Prendergast, R. Brennan; L. Price (c), P. Jones, E. Flannery; A. McLoughlin, J. Gormley; M. Merrigan, J. Whelan, F. Coll. Subs used: J. Condron, E. O¹Donnell, D. Brennan, P. Keating.