Late try sees Roscrea secure bonus-point victory over Portarlington

Roscrea came from 12 points behind to beat Portarlington on Sunday afternoon, setting up a winner-take-all showdown with Portlaoise in the final Round. With Portarlington desperately looking for a try that would have won them the game, Roscrea turned the ball over and went up the field for a late try to secure not only the win, but the bonus-point as well.

Sam Queally kicked a penalty to put Roscrea in front after ten minutes but the hosts responded incredibly well. Portarlington worked their way into the Roscrea 22 and held onto possession for a patient three minutes, bringing the phases well into double figures. A lovely kick from fly half, Liam O'Sullivan picked out Jack Hynes on the wing, who composed himself before powering over his opposite number, and touching down in the corner.

Roscrea 27 

Portarlington 18 

Flanker Jack Mallon was then shown a yellow card practically from the restart, putting Portarlington under serious pressure. The hosts managed the ten minutes very well, keeping the play in Roscrea territory and almost getting over for a second try, but for some last-ditch defending from the visitors.

With Mallon back on the field, Portarlington continued to dominate territory, adding three points through an Andrew Evans penalty. With five minutes left in the half, Portarlington produced some wonderfully slick passing in midfield, eventually releasing Jordan Fitzpatrick, who side-stepped his man before dotting down under the posts.

Evans kicked the conversion to put his side 15-3 up. But Roscrea bounced back, scoring a lovely try of their own off an attacking lineout.

The ball came to fly half Mark Dwyer who slipped a deft pass to Paul McNamara, allowing the centre to get over for Roscrea's first try. Queally added the extras to cut the gap back to 15-10 at half time.

It was all Portarlington after the break and after ten minutes of solid pressure, Evans put points on the board with a good kick off the tee.

Roscrea came back hard, putting the hosts under severe pressure. With penalties beginning to mount, there was a second yellow for Portarlington, this time for Jack Hennessy. Roscrea went direct and forced their way over for a try thanks to Number 8, Seamus Treacy.

With ten minutes left, the visitors went over for a third try to go in front for the first time in over an hour. Substitute Robert O'Mahony emerged with the ball from under a pile of bodies before Mark Dwyer kicked the conversion to put Roscrea four points up with ten minutes remaining.

The hosts went in search of a winning try, but were turned over on halfway with Roscrea going up the field where Ben Spencer got over for the bonus-point try. Roscrea will now play Portlaoise in the final round, with promotion on the line.