In the last warm-up game before the start of the regular season Donaghadee 1st XV took on their Bangor counterparts in the annual Rodney Gray Cup game.
Prior to kick off the 1st and 2nd XVs from both Bangor and Donaghadee lined up on the half way line to mark a minute’s silence in memory of Bangor stalwart John Macmillan who passed away suddenly last week.
CLICK HERE for the shots
Early in proceedings the Dee took opposition lineout ball close to the Bangor line and flanker David Murray bulldozed his way over to give the visitors a 5-0 lead.
Soon after this the Dee lost second row Kyle Morrow with a serious knee injury – the Club wishes Kyle a speedy recovery. This certainly did not assist the Dee’s continuity and their young pack began to suffer a little from the pressure being exerted by the Bangor side’s hugely experienced older hands in the form of Paddy Dornan, Peter Corbett, Darren Lyttle, Ricky Armstrong and Jason Morgan.
The home side drove over the Dee line soon after to even up the scores and later kicked a penalty to leave the half-time score 8-5 to Bangor.
In the second half Coach Stuart Hennessey rang the changes with some more Dee newcomers getting their chance. The Bangor side however – with the wind on their backs – continued to press and scored a couple of well-worked tries. It was at that point that the youthful Dee squad maybe displayed their inexperience and started to play “catch-up” rugby a little too early in the second half proceedings. As is often the case in these circumstances after some promising forays continuity broke down and Bangor profited scoring a further three tries.
A disappointing afternoon then for the young Dee squad who although coming second on the day can take huge comfort from their efforts sure in the knowledge that there is nothing that some hard work on the training paddock together with the return of some of the more experienced members of the squad will not sort out. This is to take nothing away from the Bangor side who were immensely impressive on the day and Donaghadee wish them every success in the incoming season – as long as we don’t meet in the Junior or Towns Cups… obviously!!
As part of the Rodney Gray Cup Family Day, two youthful looking 2nd XV teams took to the field. Both teams showed plenty of energy and precision from the start which provided great entertainment for a large number of pitch side supporters. It may have been a start of the season warm up fixture but there was no shortage of physicality and passion with both back rows making bone crunching tackles throughout the half. Donaghadee’s experienced out-half Bobby Harper showing the way with some incisive breaks and crucial turn over’s for the visitors. The two young packs shared the spoils at scrum time; with Bangor getting the better of the half with two well struck penalties giving them a lead into the break. Half-time Bangor 6 D’dee 0
Both teams made a number of changes in personnel and positions for the start of the second half. Bangor settled quickly from the restart gathering great momentum with two converted tries coming early from which Donaghadee never recovered. Donaghadee’s Dicky Bailey putting in a man of the match performance at scrum half keeping his pack going forward and putting in a number of tackles on Bangor’s experienced prop, Serevi. As expected with early season fatigue and a number of rolling substitutions the game began to lose some of its shape with Bangor scoring a further two unanswered converted try’s. A worthwhile exercise for both sides in preparation for the League campaign which will see these teams meet again. Full time Bangor 34 D’dee 0
A chastening afternoon at the office then for both Dee sides but indicative of the differing personnel availability at both clubs on the day with the experienced spine in each of the Bangor sides shining through. The Dee on the other hand are buoyed by the fact that many key players are on the point of return after unavailability and holidays.
It’s also an opportune time to remind all players that training nights are Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30pm (out on the pitches). Although numbers turning up have been very encouraging to date Coaches Paul McKenzie and Stuart Hennessey would welcome any other returnees who have not made it yet after the close season and indeed any new players who fancy plying their trade at Donaldson Park.
This week the 1st XV open their Qualifying League One campaign with a home fixture against newly promoted UUC (ko 2:30pm) and the 3rd XV are in Holywood for a Minor League fixture against their Kerr Park counterparts. All support for both sides would be extremely welcome.
