Ards Legends 14 Donaghadee Legends 14
On a dry but cold Sunday afternoon some of the Dee’s older playing contingent assembled at Hamilton Park for what it is hoped was the first of two games between the Legends of each Club this season.
The Ardsmen looked strong with the likes of Rab Irwin, Gareth Fry and Graeme Copeland in their ranks but the Dee had a few luminaries themselves in the shape of Andy Monson, Stephen Seymour and Brian Pyper. Some were shocked to see Vic Vine-Thorpe take to the pitch for the Dee men given the latest of his “retirement” games only last week – but were then relieved to be assured that Vic had only retired from “competitive rugby” and not social occasions such as these.
In what, in fact, turned out to be a highly competitive game the Dee scored two tries through openside Pete Stevenson both converted by the redoubtable Buck Rogers. The home side drew level early in the fourth quarter and to their credit rejected a kickable penalty for the sake of open rugby in the final few minutes which balanced out the fact that Stevenson had had a third try disallowed for a foot in touch after strong running from Seymour whose trademark hand-off, power and pace had proved a thorn in the opposition side all afternoon.
After the final whistle the Dee men were made more than welcome by their counterparts in the Clubhouse with a bite to eat together with the traditional beverages and music that are associated with these occasions.
Thanks are due to Andy Monson who put in tireless work over the past few weeks to get the Dee side together and to Neil Workman from Ards who organised the occasion from the home side’s perspective with his usual efficiency. Such a success was the occasion that it is hoped that the Dee will reciprocate the fixture back in Donaldson Park sometime in the New Year.
The Dee were represented by: Andy Monson (Captain), Brian Pyper, Digger Paul, Mark Poole, Stevie Garrett, Simon Wood, Stuart Ogg, Simon Taylor, Pete Stevenson, Stephen Seymour, Vic Vine-Thorpe, John Carlile, Ossie Gordon, Tony Bunting, Buck Rogers, Phil Collins, Jonathan Martindale, Chris Moore, Benny Drummond and apologies for anyone missed.
This Saturday the 1st XV travel to Fivemiletown to meet old foes Clogher Valley. The 2nd XV have another free week and the 3rd XV are at Donldson park where they face Larne III. Both games kick off at 2:30pm.
DEE BEATEN BY LEAGUE LEADERS
Donaghadee travelled to early pace setters Portadown in league action last Saturday knowing that this would be the toughest test of the season to date.
Portadown enjoyed the early periods of pressure but were unable to establish any continued phases of play with both teams engaging in a loose kicking game. CLICK HERE for Action SHOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After weathering a brief period of Portadown pressure Donaghdee started to enjoy some possession and some quick thinking by skipper Ali Lockhart created the first try of the day.
Lockhart took a quick penalty and immediately went on a trademark dart capitalising on the disorientated defence. When Lockhart was brought to ground there was suffice support from the supporting Kalave Aualiitia to recycle the ball to Chris Hamilton who spotted a path to the try line that few else could see or navigate but Hamilton did bouncing off two would be tacklers on route. Barker converted to give Donaghadee a 7-0 lead.
Mid-way through the first half Donaghadee looked capable of adding to this lead particularly via the counter attacking of Billy Allen and Paul McKenzie however two sin bins before half time did little to help Donaghadee build or defend this advantage.
Portadown scored their first of four tries in the 30th minute after dominant work from their pack from close range.
An opportunist try from the Portadown scrum-half kicking through from a Donaghadee spill in midfield, in the closing stages of the half gave the home side a 12-7 half time lead.
Portadown went on to dominate play in the second period of this game playing an effective tight game of rugby that saw their pack enjoy longs periods of possession. Their efforts rewarded with two additional tries courtesy of a scrum pushed over from close range and a particularly impressive driving maul that gained a 25 yard momentum before crashing over the try line.
For 60 minutes this was an entertaining battle between two teams that clearly had the desire to win. However Portadown have hit a rich vein of form and when they played to their strengths in the second period their dominant forward display was simply too dominant.
As Donaghadee continue their trilogy of tough away fixtures coaches and players will take spirit from the first half performance when the Dee men competed well with the league leaders – with more possession secured from line-out and scrum set piece play this game may have been a much closer contest albeit that the Portadown scrummage, in particular, is likely to be the sternest challenge the Dee pack will face in this area this season.
Full Time Score: Portadown 29 – Donaghadee 7
Donaghadee team: BAllen A Cash N Barker P McKenzie C McGivern P Blewitt A Lockhart N McCullough G Gordon A Barnes K Auali’itia R Martindale S Hutchinson C Hamilton R Millar Subs: P Hamilton P McCaughey.
Scoops Man of the Match – Chris Hamilton – Well taken try and robust in defence.
