The league leaders started strongly and took no time to put a series of phases of play together and put intense pressure on the CI line.
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It was however CI who had the first clear opportunity to put points on the board with a penalty attempt on the 10th minute which was narrowly missed.
On the 17th minute Chris Good moved quickly to secure a ball spilled from a CIYMS attack and showed great composure to release the ball to the oncoming Nigel Barker. Barker glided past the fragmented CIYMS back line but was eventually put to ground on the right flank. Whilst Barker was creating his own space Ricardo Santos was in full sprint to support the attack and arrived in time to secure the ball and keep the momentum of the move going feeding the ball to Paul Blewitt who did well, with little room to work with, to score the first try of the game. Santos narrowly missed with his touchline conversion.
Donaghadee enjoyed long periods of possession in the first half with Chris Good, Kenny McCombe and particularly Kalave Aualiitia all purposeful in attack.
Whilst the Donaghadee defence was wel organised and disciplined Donaghadee’s tactical kicking was intelligent with Blewitt being ably assisted by Garnham and Schofield in this area.
CIYMS were successful with a penalty kick in the last play of the first half to leave only 2 points separating this year’s newly promoted sides at the break.
Half Time CIYMS 3 – Donaghadee 5
CIYMS started the second have with renewed purpose and spent the first five minutes recycling ball in the Donaghadee 22 area but were unable to create any clear opportunities to break the red and green defensive line.
INTOHCH TV HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS GAME TO FOLLOW SHORTLY
On the 45th minute the home side had an opportunity to get some reward for this dominance and take the lead for the first time with their third penalty attempt of the day – however this was missed and with that miss the momentum of the game turned in the visitor’s favour.
Dee extended their lead on the 52nd minute, Santos kicking a penalty after Blewitt tried his luck with a drop goal that bounced of the crossbar.
On the 60th minute Blewitt cleared the Donaghdee line with a fantastic punt that put Donaghadee on the attack once again. David Thompson stole from the lineout and after a short burst fed the ball to the oncoming Chris Schofield. Schofield who can move at pace collected the ball just outside the CI 22 and although he touched the ball down over the line this was adjudged to have been done in an illegal double movement. A fantastic move and an excellent tackle to stop Dee from extending their lead.
Shortly after this move Blewitt found Garnham with an inside pass which created space for the speedy winger to attack. Not unlike Schofield’s earlier attack Garnham was held up just short however Dee skipper Harpur was quick to support and secure the ball allowing Alastair Lockhart to attack the line from 5 meters out. Although the CIYMS defence had re-organised Lockhart showed incredible strength to squirm his way across the line taking three CI defenders across with him. Santos successfully kicked the conversion to give Donaghadee a 15 – 3 advantage.
The clock appeared to be against CIYMS in mounting any real comeback and Donaghdee scored the final points of the game with the second Santos penalty of the day to give the Dee men an 18-3 victory.
Full Time CIYMS 3 Donaghadee 18
Scoops Man of the Match
Kalave Aualiitia had a massive impact on this game being tough in the tackle, purposeful moving forward and clinical in the lineouts with the help of Gareth Gordon and Richard Martindale. An excellent all round display from the accomplished rugby player.
Donaghadee Team vs. CIYMS
Billy Allen(Keith McIlwaine), Ricardo Santos, Bobby Harpur, Nigel Barker ,Rory Garnham, Paul Blewitt, Alastair Lockhart, Chris Schofield, Gareth Gordon, Chris Good, Kalave Aualiitia,David Thompson (Paul Hamilton), Richard Martindale, Kenny McCombe, Richard Miller.
Events and Fixtures
Thursday 22nd December – Donaghadee vs. Cooke – League
Monday 26th December – Traditional Exiles match and festive fun at Donaldson Park
Wednesday 28th December – Junior Cup Final vs. Coleraine 2pm Kick off – Ravenhill
