DEE FALL IN FIVEMILETOWN
The Dee 1st XV travelled to Clogher Valley more in hope than expectation on Saturday when injury robbed them of not only of talismanic skipper Alastair Lockhart but also Mark Cooper and Matthew Stockton. Allied to this the unavailability of no less than another nine players who were unable to travel to Fivemiletown left the side with an exceptionally unfamiliar look to it. Adam Torrans came into the front row for his first game of the season, 2nd XV skipper Stephen Cullen moved up into the second row, David Keys played No. 6, Tommy Slane moved in from the wing to centre and Conor Fulton & Matthew Johnson filled in on the two wing positions with Andy Monson dusting off the boots to come in at No. 9 and Blair Savage made his debut from the bench. Not ideal preparation then for the first game of the league season away to the last year’s Q1 champions and Towns Cup winners . The Dee started brightly enough with Monson setting his backline moving and a fast rucking game from the pack leading to a Valley infringement which Nigel Barker punished with a well struck penalty goal. As the Clogher men found their feet however the unfamiliarity with each other proved a serious issue for the remainder of the first half for the young Dee side and their much more experienced counterparts produced a powerful performance up front and had the bonus point in the bag by half time by which stage they led by 27-3 led by their hugely influential No. 8 Ryan Wilson scoring two of their tries.
The travelling support feared for the outcome of the second half but were cheered by a magnificent performance in adversity from the Dee men. Led by openside Chris Hamilton and No. 8 Stephen Adams the Dee put in a hugely dogged performance threatening the Valley line on more than one occasion. The experience of Chris Good and Gareth Gordon in the pack and Andy Monson, Bill Allen & Paul McKenzie in the backs came to the fore and the game ended with debutant Matthew Johnson scoring in the corner after a concerted effort from the pack. Nigel Barker converted the extras from the touchline to add to the penalty which had opened the scoring in the first half to leave the final score 41-10 in favour of the league champions. Sterling work in the second half then from the Dee men but worthy of particular mention is Andy Monson who had not pulled on a 1st XV jersey in well over three years but put in an outstanding offensive, and particularly defensive, effort at scrum half. Stand out performers too were wingers for the day Conor Fulton & Matthew Johnson -neither of whom took a backward step in their unfamiliar roles.
SECONDS CONTINUE IMPRESSIVE START TO THE SEASON
Donaghadee 2nd XV opened their league account in Donaldson Park with an excellent 42-0 win against Ballymoney III on Saturday afternoon. Pleasing to record that both Graham McMinn and Michael Moore returned to competitive rugby after some time and that Ricky Black made a Man of the Match comeback to Dee colurs after an extended period out with injury. Tries from Gareth Martin (2), Michael Moore, Andy McGrugan, David Schofield, Chris Scott & Paul Hamilton were supplemented by a conversion from Moore and penalty & conversion by McGrugan. Special mention also to Dicky Bailey who captained the side in the absence of Stephen Cullen who, despite his call up the 1st XV, put in the hard yards to get his side on the pitch in light of the high number of unavailabilities within the Club last weekend.. The Seconds bright start to the season continues then and is testament not only to huge amount of work put in by the skipper but also the efforts of Coach John West. Sadly the only sour note from the Seconds performance was that lock James Cheshire sustained a dislocated shoulder – the team wish him a speedy recovery.
THIS WEEK
The 1st XV have a free week this Saturday as it is the Preliminary Round of the Junior Cup, the 2nd XV travel to Randalstown II and the 3rd XV make their first appearance of the season when they welcome Civil Service II to Donaldson Park.
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
Membership subscriptions for 2014/15 are now due and payable and members are reminded that every effort should be made to make payment to Membership Secretary Jonny Ballagh as soon as possible. The Club is always looking for new members and, if you would like to join, the Membership Form is now available for download from the Club Website at http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/donaghadeerugbyclub/
