After last year’s two League encounters between the sides, it was obvious that Clogher Valley were taking nothing for granted when Donaghadee visited The Cran. Last season Clogher Valley managed to win both games by narrow five point margins – 22-17 in Donaghadee and 14-9 in Fivemiletown. After a sustained period of CV pressure for the first twenty five minutes it looked like the Dee’s splendid defence was going to win the day until the referee awarded CV a penalty try for the Dee collapsing a scrum – this appeared a harsh decision as no warnings had seemingly been issued by the referee in the preceding scrums. CV No. 10 Paul Armstrong then duly converted. The Dee turned around 7-0 down at half time and fell further behind to an Armstrong penalty soon after the re-start. The CV forwards came back from the kick-off and Keys and Sharkey made the hard yards before Bennett was held up on the line. Bates popped to Wilson who powered his way over for CV’s second try. Armstrong converted for a 17 – 0 lead. Although the CV forwards continued to provide good ball for the influential Bates to orchestrate proceedings from scrum half their good work was again frustrated by excellent Dee defence in which the back row of Chris Hamilton, Richard Martindale and Richard Millar was very much to the fore. Late in the third quarter a superb tackle and turnover by CV’s McKenna was snapped up by Bates and full back Dynes kicked deep into the Dee 22. Winger Donaldson was quickly up to smother the Dee recipient who didn’t release with Bates taking a quick tap penalty and Bennett and Wilson combined to put Armstrong in for a try at the posts which he converted himself to leave CV 24-0 ahead. With 15 minutes remaining CV looked to be chasing the bonus point when the Dee side suddenly found their confidence and form to score two excellent tries through, firstly, blindside flanker Millar and then a clever kick ahead by Paul McKenzie after a sustained period of attacking play was re-gathered and touched down by the Dee Player / Coach with Nigel Barker converting to bring the game to a close with the Donaldson Park men on the wrong end of the 24-12 result. A disappointing trip then for Donaghadee who, although they put their opponents under significant pressure at various points in the game, could not always capitalise on their endeavours and convert that pressure into points.
This Saturday the 1st XV travel to Belmont to re-engage old rivalries with CIYMS for the first time this season. The 2nd XV are at home to Larne II in the First Round of the Crawford Cup whilst the 3rd XV travel to Randalstown. All games kick off at 2:30pm and all support would be most welcome.
For all those Dee supporters travelling to the Ulster Bank All Ireland Junior Cup Quarter Final between Enniscorthy and Donaghadee in the Co. Wexford town on Saturday 15th December 2012 the game will kick off at 4.30pm.
Members are reminded that subscriptions are now overdue and to keep an eye out for the eagerly awaited “Your Club, Your Country” competition held in conjunction with the IRFU and the Donnelly Bros. Group where the first prize is a new car with numerous runners-up prizes covering trips to all of Ireland’s Six Nations games in 2013. Competition entry forms cost £10 and will soon be available behind the bar in the Clubhouse and from the usual suspects.
