Semi-tropical Donaghadee had almost no snow throughout what some newspapers called the disastrous weather period. But it was cold, and the pitches were sometimes too hard for contact sports, so a few degrees of warmth last week made for a welcome return to live rugby at Donaldson Park. The Donaghadee club Firsts were denied a game at snow-bound Omagh and the Seconds’ opponents could not travel, so it was left to the Dee Thirds to raise the rugby flag last Saturday in a McCambley Cup game.
When the game kicked off in cold but tolerable conditions it was the visiting Banbridge team that caught the eye in the early stages, and for at least half an hour the men in maroon, blue and yellow put Donaghadee under serious pressure. Although they made serious inroads into Donaghadee’s territory, Banbridge just could not quite close the deal with points on the board. Even when they were awarded a penalty almost in front of the Donaghadee posts, they chose to run the ball. This looked a good choice for a few seconds, but resolute defence by the Dee men kept their line intact, and eventually the referee gave the defenders a relieving penalty, and the imminent danger was over yet again.
To most of the surprisingly large gallery, it was now looking like a scoreless first half. This did not promise well for Donaghadee, because they had been under severe pressure for forty minutes when they had had the elements in their favour. However, a stirring piece of good team play saw the ball well won up front, followed by good quick ball to the backs and some space created for Richard Millar in the outside centre position. A quick look at the empty spaces in front of him and the high-striding guy was off. Spotting gaps appearing in the defence, he changed direction a couple of times and went over for the only try of the half, followed by its conversion by Andy Monson.
Such a climax to the first period is often as much of a lift to the scorers as it is a blow to the defenders. Donaghadee came out for the second half looking a much better team than they had earlier. Many spectators would have argued that another contributory factor to Donaghadee’s improvement was the example being set by the ageless Vic Vine-Thorpe. Nominally on the team sheet a flanker, but seeing his role as the agent for upsetting the opposition applecart wherever it rolled, he was in amongst the Bann men up front, on the touch-line and all over them if they tried to come through the middle. One could almost hear the rustle of support for him throughout the Dee team as inexorably they were showing that they were indeed the better side.
Half-way through the second half a cut on his head forced this tireless man to leave the field of action. The team physio and medical attendant Sarah McAllister checked that his wound was clean and safe, so, bloodied but unbowed, he was able to watch his team-mates improve their efforts until he was as certain as everyone present that the Donaghadee lead could not say at only seven points. As the season rapidly approaches its mid-way point it is timely to praise the efforts of the club’s medical staff. Niall Moraghan, Nicola Todd and Sarah take a team each every Saturday and do their best to keep the players whole. In mid-week the team meets up with the players who are carrying short or long-term knocks and make every effort to get the boys fit again as fast and carefully as possible.
Back among the action, Donaghadee were clearly looking for a chance to show that they were not one-trick ponies. Ross Garrett quickly snaffled a ball at the back of a rolling maul and shot it to Monson who timed a perfect pass to Colin Smyth in the centre. This hard-running threequarter had looked sharp all afternoon, but never as unstoppable as he was on this occasion as he steamed over the Banbridge line for 12-0.
The Banbridge pack still looked strong, but the menace they showed in the first half was now being tamed, and for many there was little doubt that Donaghadee were so much on top that they realistically could not lose this tie. There was a small tussle in mid-field which the referee dealt with by lecturing both captains, but when Donaghadee were awarded the penalty they used it to set their backs off at serious pace. In the middle of the move Millar threw a long high-arced pass to Chris McGivern. The extreme pace of the Dee attack had left the ref just a few yards back and the unnaturally high rainbow arc of the pass must have looked like it must be forward and McGivern was denied what might have been a spectacular try.
The Donaghadee players showed a mature attitude to the set-back and tried everything to score a try to make up. Perhaps they tried too hard, because it was suddenly Banbridge that came away from a breakdown with numbers in support and at pace. The ball carrier really should have made use of his support, but he smelt a chance for glory and drove at Gavin Wallace the Dee full-back. Gavin steeled his determination and drove the runner hard into touch.
Possibly inspired by this rescue, a Donaghadee trio of Wallace, McGivern and captain Adam Rodgers combined to take the ball seventy metres into the Banbridge red zone, but eventually a careless slip sent the ball forward and for the moment the danger was over. But only for a moment. A renewed effort with McGivern again to the fore presented Smyth with a half chance at his opponents’ line, and once again he showed that someone somewhere has shown him how to finish. At 17-0, this was an eminently suitable point for the referee to blow for no side.
This game was entertaining and a pleasure to watch. It must have been gratifying for many Thirds players to play in front of such a large crowd, and to hear so many positive and encouraging comments during the game and afterwards. If these young men were in any doubt before last Saturday that they too are part of the fast-improving Donaghadee club, this is no longer the case.
Donaghadee team: Gavin Wallace, Chris Woods, Colin Smyth, Adam Rodgers (c), Chris McGivern, Andy Monson, Ross Garrett; Phil Collins, Jason Steele, Adam Torrens, Paul Annett, Mark Mitchell, Phil Collins, Vic Vine-Thorpe, Stuart Robinson, Richard Millar. Subs. Gavin Prue, George Haggan, Peter Wilson.
This Saturday
Weather permitting, this Saturday’s First XV game promises to be the highlight of the season at Donaldson Park. Donaghadee’s scheduled opponents are fairly near neighbours CIYMS, but the added spice is that neither team has been beaten in Qualifying League Two this season. The visitors are top of the table this week by virtue of a 25-6 win over Carrick last week on an almost rugby free Saturday. If anyone reading this can only make a few of the games in the season, then this is the one to watch.
CI will be bringing their Second XV along too, not for support, but to play Donaghadee’s Seconds in the Crawford Cup. Donaghadee’s Thirds are due to go to Stormont to play Civil Service Seconds in the League.
Immediately prior to the games at Donaldson Park this Saturday the host club is holding a special pre-Christmas lunch. Over sixty places have already been taken, and this is close to the premises’ maximum, so if you are keen to be there you should contact Hans Arthur at Grace Neills Bar, or Club Hon Sec Jim McGrugan as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
A special treat is promised for the lunch. This, hopefully, will take the form of a “Launch at the lunch.” Many readers will already know that a commemorative brochure has been in preparation for this the 125th Anniversary of Donaghadee RFC. Yes, one and a quarter centuries ago, on what is still the club’s main pitch, Donaghadee drew a game against close neighbours Bangor in their first season. All Donaghadee members, and quite a few others, are extremely proud of their long and successful history. The attractive brochures are at the printers at time of writing, and weather permitting will be available as fine Christmas presents on Saturday afternoon.
The club has asked that all those who undertook to sell Christmas Ballots should be trying hard to sell any remaining so that all returns are in by Boxing Day when the draw will be made. The Club Council would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have supported the club by buying tickets, and for their continuing support. Winners’ names will be posted as soon as possible after the Draw and they will be notified.
For Your Diary
On Boxing Day, actually Monday 27th December, again weather permitting, the club’s usual game against the returning Exiles is on at Donaldson Park at a 2.00pm kick-off time. Anyone who has not previously been at one of these days should give it a visit. It is a great way to shake loose the Christmas cobwebs. On the day the December Player of the Month will be announced. This day is always an enjoyable occasion, thanks in part to the presence of a large number of our exile friends, and a good time is expected for all.
