3rd XV bounce back to topple league favourites
After their heart breaking last second defeat to Civil Service last weekend Saturday afternoon saw a blue sky at Donaldson Park and the spectators were out in force, not only to watch the 1st XV but the side line was also packed on the ‘wee’ pitch to cheer on the 3rds to their first victory of the season over the ‘Evergreens’ from Ballynahinch. The big home support may have been the difference as the Dee men finished 20-19 victors over a solid Hinch outfit. The Dee started strongly up the hill with strong bursts from Morgan Ellis, Ozzie Gordon and Elliot Vollands. On the 10 minute mark debutant Stephen Wilkinson carried well and was held up just short by five Hinch defenders. Following the first 10 minutes of dominance all the Dee had to show for it was an Andy Monson penalty. On the 25 minute mark came the first big break that the Dee had been looking for. Mike Proctor picked a hole in the Hinch backline to feed Gavin Gordon on the burst, a good clean-out by back row pairing of Paul Hamilton and Phil Weston saw Simon Wood released on the charge at the scrambling defence. Held up just short the ball was recycled quickly and Monson found youngster Owen Roberts wide on the left who finished off in style diving into the corner despite the efforts of the cover defence. With the Dee now 8-0 ahead the Hinch decided it was time to come out of their shell and put together a length of the field try that was started and finished by their big left winger. Almost immediately after this some loose Dee tackling and good support play from their attack saw the Evergreens run in another score. This saw the first half come to a close with the Dee trailing by 12-8. After a much needed water break the Dee again started strongly and a sniping run from replacement scrum half Chris Scott proved too much for the Hinch back row as he showed a clean pair of heels to scamper 55 meters to score in the corner. The conversion was just pushed wide but nevertheless the Dee were back in the driver’s seat at 13-12. At this point the home backline started to come into play and good breaks from centres Gordon and Andrew Mitchell gave winger Jonny Orr opportunity to test the afterburners only to be bundled into touch close to the line. From the resultant line out the Dee pack applied pressure and following a rare line out turnover David Schofield and then Ellis were held up over the line. From the resultant penalty Hamilton crashed over to top off his all-round solid performance with a 5 pointer. Monson converted to stretch the Dee’s lead to 20-12. This conversion proved critical as the Hinch never gave up and bounced back with a seven pointer of their own with 5 minutes left to play. The Dee men had just enough left in the tank and a last play turnover and clearance by Ross Garrett saw the Threes take the points with a 20-19 victory in this hard fought home fixture. Some sterling performances already mentioned the but especially from two more returnees in the set-piece in the form of Neil McCullough & Stephen Clarke. There will be some sore bodies after this bruising encounter but with no games for the next two weeks the lads will have an opportunity to rest up and prepare for the next spell of fixtures in mid-October. Social 3rds touch rugby will continue for the next few weeks (Thursdays 7.30pm for one hour) and everyone is welcome.
This week
Two games at Donaldson Park again this weekend when the 1st XV entertain Holywood in the First Round of the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup and the 2nd XV host Coleraine IIIs in the Junior League. The 1st XV will be hoping to kick-start their season against Holywood who have returned to Qualifying Two this season after comfortably winning Qualifying Three last year and who will present a formidable obstacle in the Dee’s attempts to reprise the efforts of 2011 when they won the Junior Cup at Ravenhill. Both games kick-off at 2:30pm.
Family Fun Day
To coincide with Junior Cup game at Donaldson Park the Dee are holding a Family Fun Day with a BBQ, bouncy castles & a host of other attractions as well as a feast of Junior Cup or League rugby. Festivities kick-off from 1pm and light lunch is available for £5 per head, bookable via Ian Fleming as usual. In addition the Zebre v Ulster game will be shown live from 3pm on the big screen in the Clubhouse.
Club Community Rugby Officer (CCRO)
Donaghadee RFC’s new CCRO Guy McManus (pictured) has now started to work with schools and children throughout the area. Guy has extensive experience in youth and mini rugby coaching having been involved in the DRFC Mini set-up for some years and also gained the appropriate coaching accreditation via the IRFU (Ulster Branch). His CCRO role is to work with local schools and other community groups to encourage rugby in the North Down & Ards areas and to help grow the skills of those who are already playing the game. Part of his role will be to organise rugby sampler sessions and blitzes at Donaldson Park throughout the course of this season. Although Guy is under the supervision of the IRFU (Ulster Branch) and the Club which will see him visit many schools and community groups on an ongoing basis throughout the area he would encourage anyone or any organisation who may have “slipped the net” and are interested in the scheme to contact him as soon as possible. He will be attendance at Donaghadee RFC Mini Rugby training each Sunday afternoon and also hopes to be at the Family Fun Day in Donaldson Park this Saturday. Guy can be contacted by telephone at 07711541500 and by email at guymcmanus44@hotmail.com. Alternatively personal message any of the Club Officers on the Donaghadee RFC Facebook site and they will pass on all information to Guy.
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 or, alternatively are an existing member who would like to pay by direct debit, the Membership Form is now available for download from the Club Website at www.pitchero.com/clubs/donaghadeerugbyclub/
