9/6 Portland Loss to Newport

In an opening match reminiscent of this past Spring's game against Newport, Portland got off to a rocky start and didn't get untracked until it was too late to mount a comeback. Newport showed it's strength in its speedy backline, which was too much of a match for the Portland side's patchwork backfield.

Newport got on the board early with two penalty kicks off pressure from their backline. Portland, with three forwards playing in the backs, couldn't get it wide and play was sloppy early on. The Portland forwards began mauling and keeping the ball close late in the first half, and converted a strong try on 6 phases within Newport's 22 meter line. After half, Portland's strategy to keep the ball closer in to the forwards created another driving try, but Newport's speed and chip kicks into open territory were too much of a match.

The final score: 40-10.