GROSVENOR 22 – DONAGHADEE 17
Last Saturday Donaghadee went to Belmont for their return League game against a Grosvenor team that they had demolished 49-10 in October. Almost from the kick-off it seemed that the memories of losing to Ballymoney in the Towns’ Cup in the final seconds after being the better side all day were still dominating the thoughts and emotions of Donaghadee’s largely unchanged team. It might also have been in the Dee players’ minds that they were also protecting an eleven-month unbeaten League run and were aiming to keep it so in their bid for promotion.
Whatever the Dee men’s feelings and thoughts were, they did not have long to wait before the young Grosvenor side demonstrated that their team is much improved since the October encounter. The day was sunny and bright, although with a fickle wind that initially favoured the home side who were giving early notice that they were out to run the ball when possible. This policy took them well into the Dee half where a careless red and green covered arm presented Grosvenor with a penalty chance that they had no hesitation in converting for first blood 3-0.
Donaghadee stormed back at their opponents, but found that the Grosvenor infantry had stiffened their sinews since their last encounter. But it was the way their backs capitalised on well-won ball that gave the visitors their first worrying jolt. From well inside their own half Grosvenor opened out a hard-running attack. For months such running, however well executed, has been capably enough dealt with by the Donaghadee players, but the defensive gates, usually so quick to shut, were slow. A number of tackles were missed and Grosvenor were now 8-0 in front.
With their previous form this should perhaps have been no more than a wake-up call for Donaghadee, heralding a determined effort to get back on terms. In fact it was a further gee-up to Grosvenor. From a simple line-out catch they mounted an intricate, but deadly attack. This climaxed with a crash-over try at Donaghadee’s posts and a simple conversion that made the score a much more impressive lead of 15-0 for Grosvenor.
Donaghadee’s desire and urgency to get back in the game took them forcefully to within 20 metres of Grosvenor’s goal line. However all momentum was lost when the game was held up for five minutes while a Grosvenor player received attention on the field. Upon his resumption all Donaghadee concentration had been lost and they were forced to face a restart, still empty-handed. It was not to be long before Donaghadee’s strong and skilful maul came to their rescue yet again this season. Chris Schofield burst off the back of it at pace and fed the ball to Ally Lockhart. He drove and wriggled his way to the goal-line, and with some relief for the Donaghadee players and supporters, he was awarded the try for 15-5.
The new half began with more of the same from the Grosvenor side. Their forwards were eager to take on their opponents, a response that the Donaghadee are not really used to lately, and they did it well. It was not to be long before well won possession allowed the Grosvenor backs the space they wanted, and from well back they once again they gave Donaghadee a lesson in hard co-ordinated running. A mix of brushing off inaccurate tackles in their own half, or driving through them, presented their No. 12 with fifty metres of clear air to sprint to the Dee line for another try. The easy conversion made the scoreline a daunting 22-5 advantage for the hosts and a deficit that Donaghadee have not seen for a very long time.
Donaghadee Club Captain Chris Good did his best to gee up his team with what most would call a captain’s try. When the ball went loose about twenty metres out the tight-head prop was first to the loose ball and with little finesse but spectacular determination he drove through the Grosvenor defence for a much-needed try and an Andy Monson conversion for 22-12.
Donaghadee were raising their game in this second half, but were now getting little good fortune. Another Schofield/Lockhart combination ended with a whistle for foot in touch and for Grosvenor the danger was averted. By now Donaghadee’s pride and determination had put them right back in a game that had looked long gone after the first half hour, but they suffered a stunning blow when Paul Hamilton was summoned to the referee to be shown the red card. Hamilton seemed utterly bewildered, and no one on the touchline had seen whatever the offence was that caused this, so all must wait to hear. The way these things must proceed is that player and officials are always advised to talk to no one before the subsequent disciplinary hearing.
Donaghadee’s fourteen men tried manfully to gain the points necessary to rescue the game, but the still-eager Grosvenor defence kept them back. Donaghadee’s pride and determination did bring some reward when a combined and forceful attack showing good skills by Lockhart and Chris Beattie did eventually break through the keen defence and Donaghadee reached 22-17. But time had run out.
Mathematically Donaghadee did win the second half, but their slow start had lost them the game. Some will maybe argue that having beaten Grosvenor by so many points earlier in the season, Donaghadee went into this game with some complacency; others will contend that their opponents have improved greatly and thoroughly deserved their win. The truth may be somewhere in between. What is very clear is that the Donaghadee First team are due to travel to Enniskillen this Saturday, and away from home or not, this is a game where Donaghadee must hit the ground running. They and their band of supporters know they should win; they must ensure that they do win.
Donaghadee team: Billy Allen, Chris Beattie, Bobby Harpur, Andrew Findlater, Rory Garnham, Andy Monson, Alistair Lockhart: Chris Good (c), Gareth Gordon, Chris Schofield, Kyle Morrow, Richard Martindale, Chris Hamilton, Paul Hamilton and Richard Millar.
This Saturday
As mentioned above, Donaghadee’s 1st XV travel to Enniskillen for a very important league match. On the same day the Seconds go to Shaw’s Bridge to face Instonians 4 in Junior League 3 and the Dee Thirds play in the McCambley Cup against near-neighbours Ards 4.
For Your Diary
At press time it looks like Donaghadee’s First and Second XVs will have a free date on Sat. 26 Feb, but the club’s Thirds play PSNI 2 at Donaldson Park. Why not give these enthusiasts some of your time and encouragement. Watch this space for any changes.
