Omagh Accies leapfrog Portadown into second place in Championship One with 29–10 victory

Championship One

Omagh Accies....29

Portadown RFC....10

OMAGH Accies returned to winning ways on Saturday with an industrious 29–10 victory over Portadown RFC, a result which sees the Tyrone side leapfrog their opponents into second place in the Championship One table.

The Accies made a bright start to proceedings, putting the visitors under early pressure and taking the lead through winger Sean Kerr.

A solid Omagh scrum on the Portadown 22 laid the foundations, with the home pack putting their opposite numbers under pressure before the backs sprang into life.

Scott Barr delivered a perfectly timed miss pass to release Kerr on the right and the winger powered over for the opening score.

The conversion was unsuccessful. Omagh continued to enjoy the better of the early exchanges and soon doubled their advantage.

A superb line break from Barr carried the Accies to within five metres of the Portadown line. Several phases of strong forward carrying and patient recycling followed before Jamie Sproule powered his way over from close range.

Again, the conversion was unsuccessful, leaving Omagh 10–0 ahead.

Portadown, however, gradually worked their way back into the contest and were rewarded when a penalty was kicked to the corner.

Omagh initially defended the resulting catch and drive well, but the visitors moved the ball to their inside centre, who crossed for a converted try.

The sides went into the interval with Omagh holding a slender 10–7 advantage.

Portadown began the second half strongly and had an early opportunity to draw level, but their penalty attempt was off target.

With the game finely balanced, Omagh eventually regained control, turning to their powerful forward pack to put daylight between the sides.

A penalty kicked to the corner provided the platform for a well executed catch and drive, with hooker Phil Ewing emerging from the pile of bodies to claim Omagh’s third try.

The Accies were soon back on the attack and, following another penalty kicked deep into Portadown territory, produced an almost carbon copy of the previous score.

Once again, the lineout functioned perfectly and the driving maul proved unstoppable, with Ewing touching down for his second try of the afternoon.

The successful conversion stretched Omagh’s advantage to 22–7.

Portadown responded with a penalty to reduce the deficit to 22–10, but it was the Accies who would have the final say.

Omagh saved their final flourish for the closing stages, punishing Portadown’s ambition to run the ball from deep inside their own 22.

The Accies’ aggressive defence forced a turnover, and the ball was quickly moved to Noa Euta.

The powerful fullback showed excellent awareness to release Scott Barr through a gap in the defence, with Barr racing over to complete an impressive individual performance and bring the scoring to a close.

The successful conversion sealed a convincing 29–10 victory for the Accies.

Head coach Stewart McCain was delighted with the result, particularly the manner in which his side started and finished the contest.

While Portadown posed plenty of questions during the middle period, McCain was pleased with how his players eventually worked through those challenges and regained control of proceedings.

The victory provides a timely boost for Omagh as they enter a key stage of the season and moves the Accies into second place in the Championship One standings.

With a number of players still sidelined through injury, Omagh will also be hoping to welcome back some familiar faces in the coming weeks as they look to build on another important league victory.