Randalstown travelled to Portadown for this rearranged Butler Shield semi-final but any hopes of progressing to the final were quickly dispelled by a strong experienced Portadown side. Two tries on 11 and 14 minutes detracted from the early promise the ‘Town lads had shown and with the aerial bombardment from the excellent Portadown outhalf pinning them in their own 22 they were facing an uphill battle against the strong breeze. In fairness the Randalstown lads defended well and actually had some chances of their own before Phelim Marrion, who had played many years with distinction for his native town had his say in the Town’s demise, and on the stroke of half time a further try left the Randalstown XV a mountain to climb.
Half time Portadown 26 Randalstown 0
Five replacements were introduced at half time and playing with the breeze the ‘town’ lads tried to claw their way back into the game Ben Winter scything through the Poradown defence with a fine backs move. Adrian Johnston and Simon Moon combined well to set Ben on his way for a fine try converted by Adie. However Portadown quickly added to their tally with a fine try and a cheeky spectacular drop goal by the outhalf. Joe Cross on his debut, another from the excellent youth set up at Randalstown had several great carries before Conor Ferry got just reward with an excellent score from an unlikely situation again converted by Johnston to leave the full time score Portadown 34 Randalstown 14
Though this result was disappointing for all there is a great bond between the lads in the 3rds this season with many lads training and eagerly looking forward to their league fixtures over the next few weeks against Larne and Malone Pedro Conceiaco had a great game at prop as had Nathan Hodge at number eight, the evergreen Adrian Johnston at outhalf, Ben Winter and Conor Ferry all showed up well.
Team M Mc Cullough,A Upritchard, P Conceiaco, M Asquith,M Hamilton,C Ferry,C Mowbray,N Hodge,D Frew, A Johnston,S Moon,W Fleck,A Mc Clenaghan,B Winter,T Shannon,A Sloane,G Paine,J Cross,D Asquith,P Nelson,M Reeves
