Donaghadee completed their series of three consecutive away matches on Saturday with a trip to Belmont to play CI.
This fixture has become one of the first to look for when fixtures are announced in pre-season with the two teams having enjoyed some well fought games in recent seasons.
The Donaghadee faithful put their Christmas shopping off for another week and were out in force in what where perfect conditions to enjoy this encounter.
Nigel Barker got an early opportunity to settle into his less familiar fullback role in the second minute collecting a high ball on the halfway line and initiating a Dee attack that saw Paul McKenzie and Richard Miller combining well to make good yards, with play eventually making it to the CI line.
The CI defence didn’t appear ready for this onslaught and were penalised on a number of occasions in this series of play – Donaghadee opted to get a return on their early flurry and Barker sweetly connected with the penalty attempt to give Dee an early lead.
CI responded immediately and after good work from fly-half David O’Hara the ball was spun through the backline for the CI right winger to score the first try of the day. Conversion was missed.
Donaghadee stormed back into the lead on the 15th minute with a great solo effort from McKenzie. After good work in the loose from Richard Black and Richard Martindale, both denting the CI defence, Paul Blewit fed the ball to McKenzie who jinked past his man and ran in unopposed to touch down under the post. Barker converted to give Dee a 10-5 lead.
CI were reduced to 14 men ten minutes into the game for a blatant off the ball hit on Dee prop forward Neil McCullough. McCullough did well to shake the incident off and return to action.
Donaghadee battled well during this period but were unable to add to their early scores and on the 22nd minute CI restored the lead and with the sin binned player returning to the scrum the black and white pack pushed over from close range.
Donaghadee continued to come under pressure during this period and although the defensive effort was physical and full of endeavour the CI pack could not be stopped from another scrum from close range to give CI a 19-10 lead.
CI scored their fourth try late in the first half, this time courtesy of their right winger after another scrum from close range to give them a commanding 24-10 lead at halftime.
Given some of the glimpses of entertaining rugby Donaghadee had shown in the first half it offered the Dee following hope that Donaghade could continue to make life difficult for the Belfast side in the second half.
CI however picked up where they left off in the first half with a try in the opening minutes of the second half. This time the ball was won at the line-out and recycled through a number of phases before being released to the outside centre who found space to score under the posts.
This was not Donaghadee’s most accomplished game this season however the endeavour with which they played against a very tough, experienced CI side could not be questioned and they continued to press CI, forced by the score line to do this at every opportunity, sometimes in areas of the pitch and in a style that would not be off the training ground.
This was rewarded on the 52nd minute when McKenzie burst into the CI half and offloaded to Chris Hamilton who still had 40m to the try line however the wing-forward outpaced the CI left winger and scored Donaghadee’s second try of the day. Barker converted to reduce the deficit to 31-17.
With 20 minutes left on the clock and CI reduced to 14 men for a deliberate knock on Donaghadee started to gather real momentum in this game enjoying a ten minute period of territorial domination
When David Devine scored in the clubhouse corner after good transfers from Millar and Blewitt the CI lead was reduced to 9 points (31-22) with 18 minutes left to play.
Unfortunately the mountain the green and red jerseys had climbed to get a foothold back on this game had taken its toll physically and this combined with the onus being on Donaghadee to ‘chase’ the game for a bonus point fourth try meant that the comeback was not to be completed.
That CI went onto dominate the final quarter, cruelly scoring three additional tries including two in stoppage time to leave them with a 55-22, was testament to not only their endurance but the “catch-up” rugby that the Dee men found themselves having to play.
Coaches McKenzie and Hennessey will be delighted to see the back of the three away games to Portadown, Clogher Valley and CI but no doubt be disappointed that Dee came away from these games without the points that at times their endeavour deserved.
Thankfully, games continue to come thick and fast and all at the club will hope that there is a bumper crowd at Donaldson Park this weekend to cheer the team on against Coleraine in this all important home league game.
Scoops Man of the Match – Pushed close by Chris Hamilton & Richard Martindale the MOM was provider for one try and scorer of another Paul McKenzie.
Donaghadee team: N.Barker, M. Gibson, R.Millar, P. McKenzie, D.Devine, P. Blewitt, A. Lockhart, N. McCullough, P.McCaughey, A. Barnes, K. Aualiitia, R. Black, P.Hamilton, C. Hamilton, R. Martindale – Subs: G.Gordon, A.Cash
This Saturday the Dee 1st XV host Coleraine in Qualifying One whist the 2nd XV entertain Coleraine III in Junior 3. Meanwhile the 3rd XV travel to Tir Chonnaill to play the local side in the first round of the McCambley Cup. All games kick off at 2:30pm.
There will be a pre-match lunch before the games at Donaldson Park on Saturday – with a 1pm start at cost of £10 for a two course meal catered by Donaghadee’s own Bow Belles. As home 1st XV games have been few and far between in the first half of the season the Club is looking for a big crowd to attend this function so please contact Ian Fleming if you would either like a table or a smaller booking. Support Your Club!!
The much heralded “Your Club, Your Country” competition kicks off this weekend at Donaldson Park when you can buy an entry form and then choose the best Ulster XV from the professional era. Forms cost £10 each and the winner will receive a brand new car sponsored by Donnelly Bros. There are also a host of runners-up prizes and all proceeds are for the benefit of the Club.
