Garda Westmanstown pack too strong for Portarlington in season opener

Power was key on Sunday evening as Garda Westmanstown left Lea Road with the win on a bitterly disappointing season opener for Portarlington. The hosts played well in parts, but never got the bounce of the ball. 

Garda have an array of massive ball-carriers in their pack and utilised their power throughout the opening quarter. Gary Crowe, Robin Schiller and Atilla Urban all broke tackles, riding big collisions in midfield and making the hard yards for Garda.

Garda Westmanstown 21

Portarlington 12

Portarlington's backs were trying to use the ball to their advantage in open play, but it was the visitors who finally broke the deadlock at the midway point of the first half. Back row, Robin Schiller powered over the line with Toby Neilson-Dry on his back - no easy feat and a serious display of strength. A great kick from the sideline from Paddy McGrath added the extra two points.

But the lead lasted less than five minutes before the Portarlington backs unlocked the Garda defence, with Darragh Perry releasing Jack Hynes who went in under the posts. Jewell then converted to bring the game level.

An injury to Darragh Jewell after half an hour saw Portarlington introduce a big ball carrier of their own, with Aaron "Bull" Costello making an immediate impact.

Portarlington got over the line twice in quick succession, but came away with nothing to show for it. Simon Doggett finished off a great team move, but his try under the posts was chalked off for a forward pass. An explosion of pace and skill then from Adam Lamkin should have been rewarded with a try, but Anavil Storey knocked it on.

Instead, it was Garda who took the lead on the stroke of half time, with Number 8, Brendan D'Arcy powering over. Another conversion from Paddy McCarthy left the visitors 14-7 up at half time.

Portarlington were reduced to 14 men ten minutes after the restart when outside centre, Adam Kelly was sent to the sin bin. Garda took advantage almost immediately, keeping the ball in the forwards before Michael Russell got the ball down. McCarthy maintained his perfect record off the tee to add the extras.

With Port back to a full complement, Garda lost Robert Kihls to the sin bin midway through the second half for a deliberate knock on. The hosts managed to get their second try soon after when veteran, Mark Pitrew, crossed over in the corner.

No sooner than Kihls returned to the field, Garda were reduced to 14 once again when David Harrington was yellow carded for a blatantly high tackle. Despite a strong finish, Port were unable to find a third try that would have given them a losing bonus point. They make the long trip to Arklow next week.