Pic Credit Peter Bennett >> https://www.facebook.com/peterbennett9?fref=ts
ASPIRING 1st XV PLAYERS GET A RUN OUT
Donaghadee’s season opened when they welcomed Limavady to Donaldson Park for a 4 x 20 minutes training game. With the new season starting so early there were quite a few unavailabilities and this fact, plus a couple of minor injuries to senior players, gave new Head Coach Graham Cloke the opportunity to blood many of the youngsters from last year’s successful 2nd XV.
Limavady opened with an early unconverted try in the first quarter with Donaghadee hitting back in the second with a well taken Andy McGrugan intercept try converted by Paul Blewitt. The Dee maintained this lead until deep in the fourth quarter when Limavady converted a penalty to take a 8-7 lead. This stung the Dee back into life and a sweeping downfield movement was ended when a superb Richard Martindale line allowed him to break the opposition defence before offloading to the supporting Adam Torrans who sprinted the final twenty metres to the line – Blewitt again converting. With the Dee now thinking they had done just enough Limavady decided otherwise and utilised turnover ball to sweep up the field via their impressive 10, 12 & 13 axis and some sloppy home defence allowed the latter to score under the posts. With the simple conversion being added the referee brought proceedings to a close with Limavady emerging victors by the narrowest of margins 15-14.
Although ultimately disappointing Head Coach Cloke will have learned a lot from the game and will undoubtedly address the home sides lack of continuity, sometime fragile defence and propensity to incur penalties against during training this incoming week. He will also, of course, be mindful that many players were making the 1st XV debuts, this was the oppositions third game – a fact which was extremely evident during the course of play – and also the unfamiliarity with each other of the various Dee combinations deployed during the course of the afternoon. Finally he will be happy with the positives on show with quite a few of those who either stepped up or are new to the Club enjoying sound starts but the key will be knitting together a sustained performance during the course of the side’s next outing when the return of those absent yesterday will improve the build-up towards the start of the competitive season.
CONGRATULATIONS
Great news for two Dee 1st XV stalwarts – congratulations to skipper Nigel Barker and wife Lynne on the birth of son Cameron Ian and also Richard Martindale and wife Ruth with the arrival of a daughter Jessica Lily. Best wishes from all at Donaghadee RFC!!
MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS
The start of a new season means that all subscriptions are now due and payable so please make every effort to settle these as soon as possible by cash, cheque or standing order. Payment is also possible via the Club website at www.donaghadee-rugby.co.uk .Full details may be had by contacting Jonny Ballagh, Bill Allen or Garth Bennett.
THIS SATURDAY
Donaghadee 1st XV welcome Bangor 1st XV to Donaldson Park this week when the two sides meet in the annual Rodney Gray Cup. Bangor have started their season strongly scoring 40 points last Saturday whilst overcoming AIL opponents Dunagannon at Stevenson Park. The game kicks-off at 2:30pm.
GET INVOLVED AT THE DEE
Donaghadee RFC 1st XV play in Kukri Qualifying Two and have enjoyed no little success over recent years winning the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup in 2011, qualifying for the prestigious All Ireland Junior Cup in two out of the past four seasons, winning Conference League One in 2012/13, reaching the final of the 2014 Powerade Towns Cup losing narrowly to 2013/14 Qualifying One winners Clogher Valley and reached the semi-final of the same competition in 2014/15. The Club is not just about 1st XV success and has three adult teams playing every Saturday during the rugby season. Last season the 2nd XV gained promotion to Junior League 3 and the 3rd XV won the Butler Shield. We are always open to new recruits. Those who have maybe played a bit at school and are looking for some social rugby are welcome as well as total newcomers to the sport or indeed those who are after a change of scenery. Our Club is renowned for its hospitality and social atmosphere… and the rugby isn’t bad either. If you would like to play at the Club please contact Director of Rugby Chris Good, Head Coach Graham Cloke, Assistant Coach John West or any of the team Captains – Nigel Barker – 1st XV, Stephen Cullen & Davy Kirkpatrick – 2nd XV and Andy Monson – 3rd XV. In addition to adult mens’ rugby the Club also offers Mini Rugby (contact Niall Moraghan) or Disability Needs Rugby via the Seaside Sharkies (contact Kerry Kennedy). In the last season the Club has developed Youth Rugby via their CCRO Guy McManus so if you are between the ages of 11 and 17 and would like to get involved in age-grade rugby at the Dee please contact Guy.
