Portico Vine ARLFC Masters

Great games today for our masters.
Some great rugby played and fantastic defence. 💚💛
🏉 Two tries coming from Tom Beech
⭐ Tom Beech and Carl Taylor for MOM

Thank you to the spectators who traveled and watched in the rain.
Some videos to follow…

Next game next week Blackpool festival. 🤍💙

It’s SATURDAY! Today our masters travel to Westhoughton 💛💚 … but for now we introduce you to another Portico Masters player…

Josh Smith

Who do you support?
St Helens

Who is your favourite player?
Paul Wellens

What position do you play?
Fullback

Why do you play masters rugby?
Rugby is a tough sport and still being able to play the game hard, alongside the more social element the masters brings is really enjoyable.

What is your personal reason for playing?
Maybe a little cliche, but i missed being part of a team. There isnt a better feeling than hearing that last whistle go after a hard fought win with your mates and when you stop playing you miss it and cant shake the itch to go back!

Why choose portico as a club to play for ?
I came down after chatting with one of the lads on the team. Portico are a great team with a good set up and reputation but i probably didn't appreciate how good it is until i got here. Ive never played with a more welcoming group, everyone makes the effort to get you involved straight from the off and the support the lads give eachother is second to none. If anyone is looking to get back into rugby or to take a new hobby there isnt a better environment i know of to start playing again.

Tomorrow our masters travel to Westhoughton to play a round robin, with Westhoughton Masters and Chester Masters.
Here is your squad -first game starts at 12:00pm

Get your self down to watch 💚💛
There is also a fun day on at Westhoughton so bring the family along with you 🤍💙

Our Open Age Mens team are now recruiting for old and new players to boost their squad ahead of the 2027 season.
Training will take place at Portico playing fields on Tuesdays & Thursdays times TBC.
They are also recruiting for a First Aider/Physio Lead.

If anyone knows anyone who would like to join this amazing bunch can you get them to contact Sean Furlong on 07812403456
💚💛💚💛

No game today for our masters, but we treat you again by introducing another masters player 💛💚

Richie Eburne

🌟 A special one today as both Richie’s son and grandson both play at Portico 🌟

Who do you support?
Saints

Who is your favourite player?
Chris Joint

What position do you play?
Prop now. 2nd Row when i had knees 🤔

Why do you play masters rugby?
Finished playing competitive rugby (union) at 45. Never ever thought i would be playing again but when the opportunity came when I heard Portico were putting a masters team together it was a no brainer.

What is your person reason for playing?
To be with an amazing band of brothers that have now become life long friends. I cant have the impact I would like and have to pick my games around my ability now but there is no judgement , just inclusion as at my age you cant mix ambition with ability 🤣🤣

Just to still be part of a team, family environment and involved in a sport I have loved since a child.

Why choose portico?
Was very fortunate that due to the club doing taster sessions in the local school my son asked to go to Portico aged 6 . When I took him on the Saturday I was sat with him in the very changing room I played my first ever game of rugby as a 12 year old for Rainford High against Grange Park high school and have been involved since supporting my son right through to open age today. My grandchildren are now also involved in the club so it’s a massive part of our family and always will be. The DNA in the club from the committee, coaches, volunteers, players, spectators, contractors, sponsors is on another level and an amazing credit to all involved 🙏🙏

🏆 SHORTLISTED FOR COMMUNITY CLUB OF THE YEAR! 🏆

We are absolutely delighted, incredibly proud and genuinely humbled to announce that we have been shortlisted for the prestigious Rugby Football League Community Club of the Year Award. 💚💛

To be recognised by the governing body of our sport in this way is a huge honour and a reflection of everything that happens at our club, both on and off the field.

But this recognition belongs to our volunteers and players.

The people who unlock the gates, cut the grass, run the kitchen, organise fixtures, coach our teams, wash the kit, serve the community, raise funds, complete the paperwork, organise events, support our players, pull on the jersey, travel around the region and somehow find the time to do it all again the next day.

They do it selflessly, tirelessly and because they believe in Portico Vine.

Our club is built on volunteers. They are the heartbeat of everything we do, and this shortlist is a tribute to every single one of them 💚💛

And there is even more reason to celebrate…

Our Chairman, Mark Hobin MBE, has also been shortlisted by the Rugby Football League for the prestigious Volunteer of the Year Award. 👏🏆

Two huge honours for our club, but ultimately one shared achievement.

Portico Vine ARLFC is a community built by volunteers, for the community.

Whatever happens from this point on, we are already incredibly proud.

💚💛 One Team. One Dream. 💚💛

Awesome display from each and every one of our squad,, who travelled up to Carlisle yesterday with only 14 players.

Game started steady after the 2 hour drive.

1st half was mix and match from Portico. We Started with simple sets and safe hands, until the moment came with a quick play of the ball to set Tom Beech on his way to a 60 meter run across the opposition line (adding a little shimmy towards the end).

2nd try quickly followed with some great support play by Jamie sutton who assisted Tom Beech for his second try.

Carlisle did come back with a try in the corner, which resulted in Portico making some alterations in the squad.

2nd half was a massive improvement from the Portico Masters, Each one putting in 100% effort and making try saving tackles, Especially from Josh who switch to full back.

Portico stepped up the pressure which resulted on the left hand side to open up Carlisle defence and with some great ball work from Danny Bacon to set up Jamie Red to go over the line with a 20 meter run.

Towards the end, Carlisle began to put more pressure on Portico and was awardwith a consolation try.

Game result was a positive 0-0. Josh Smith got portico Player of the match.
Opposition MOM for Andy Vickers.

A big shout out to our captain for yesterday, Martin Shaw who will feel the pain tomorrow for making a last minute try saving tackle.

Roll on the 29th August for our next home fixture. Upthepoets 💚💛💙