DONAGHADEE 2nd XV 15 LURGAN 2nd XV 12
The 2nd XV were looking forward to this Forster Cup Second Round game with no little relish given their excellent recent run of form in both league and cup against what looked like an experienced Lurgan 2s side. The side started well with Rhys Thompson, Matthew Johnson & Owen Roberts making significant inroads into opposition territory. A sweeping backs move looked to have led to a try in the top left-hand corner but the Lurgan touchjudge raised his arm to indicate a foot in touch and in so doing irking the large Dee support – not for the last time. Not to be denied, however, the Dee soon crossed for the first try of the game when right-wing Chris Mc Givern first outpowered & then outpaced the opposition in the top right-hand corner – the difficult conversion was missed. Soon afterwards the returning Ian Martindale had to leave the field for most of the rest of the game but Andy McGrugan took his place and soon extended the Dee led to 8-0 with a well placed penalty goal. At this point it looked as the Twos were going to coast to a comfortable victory but unfortunately collective eyes were taken off the ball and the impressive Lurgan No. 10 gradually brought his side back into the game and Lurgan scored an unconverted try with the last play of the first half. Half-time Dee 8 Lurgan 5.
Regrettably the lacklustre pattern of the latter part of the first half continued in the Dee’s play in the second half and only stout defence prevented the Lurgan men taking the lead. At this point the Dee were further disrupted when they lost Andrew Mitchell to a dislocated shoulder. Dee No. 10 Paul Blewitt was keeping the opposition at bay however with some clever defensive kicking mixed with the occasional offensive chip kick. From one of the latter the ball bounced kindly in the Lurgan 22 and the ever alert McGivern collected to score his second try of the game, McGrugan converting. Game over? Not as far as Lurgan were concerned – with the Dee reduced to fourteen men after McGivern completed an eventful afternoon in the sin bin the Mid Ulster men pressed the Dee line and eventually scored a converted try to bring the game back to 15-12 in favour of the home side. With five minutes left Lurgan hit the post with a penalty which would have tied proceedings and then the tiring home side coughed up a succession of further errors which led to a sustained attack on their line in injury time. The Dee fourteen held out however turning the ball over in what was to prove the last play of the game to win the tie 15-12 and move into the Quarter Final of the competition.
The 2nd XV will have better days but sometimes the mark of a successful side is to “win ugly” when not playing well so, in this respect, the objective was achieved and will no doubt serve this exceptionally young side well in future combat. Special mention to Garth Bennett who was only pulled into the bench late on Saturday morning and ended up playing sixty minutes calming his younger team mates on more than one occasion in what proved to be a ferocious cup tie. The Club would also like to wish Andy Mitchell a speedy recovery with his injury and trust he will soon be back on the field of play. Finally great to see Michael Blair back on the field after more than a year out with a serious knee injury.
CIVIL SERVICE 2nd XV 0 DONAGHADEE 3rd XV 50
Fresh from their Christmas Dinners, the 3rd XV Dee travelled to the Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Stormont to take on Civil Service 2s in the Butler Shield.
Confidence was not high in the changing room as the team discussed current fitness levels following mass consumption of festive treats. However, it was apparent from the first scrum that this extra ‘turkey’ would work to the advantage of the forward pack and allow the backline to have a much needed rest following the festive period.
Previous worries of a slow first 20 minutes were immediately put to rest as the Dee attacked from the off. Service were stuck in their own half for much of the first 40 minutes but defended well and managed to fend off much of the onslaught from the Dee men. A lapse in attention by the Dee defence allowed a couple of well timed breaks from Service, only to be stymied at the last minute by Jamie Wilson and Phil Eager. Eventually the Dee’s hard work paid off with Dunnser sneaking through on his second touch (the first thwarted close to the line), followed by an exceptional 15 metre touchdown from Stuart Robinson. With Red’s conversion, the score was now 12 – 0 on the half-time whistle.
Buoyed by a great start and the cheers from the welcome travelling support of non-playing members of the 3s on the sideline, the team started what they hoped would be a stronger and more fruitful second half. The Dee capitalised on a number of Service errors and the loss of their front row to continue the pack domination and, like the train sets and mechanical robots leaving Santa’s sack on Christmas Day, the tries just kept on coming – Stuart Robinson, Gareth Martin (x3), Phil Collins and Red all getting over Service’s line. Helped along by Red’s boot, the final score was a pleasing 50 -0 to the Dee.
Keeping the ball in hand was the winner this week and the Dee definitely had a better day than Ulster. The forwards dominated throughout, marshalled well by Red. Set pieces were controlled by Mark Poole and Phil Collins in the scrum and Andy Molyneaux and Gareth Martin in the line out. The back row dominated the breakdown through strong tackling and loose play by Stuart Robinson and Jamie Wilson. When the backline did get the ball, twinkle toed Stevie Garrett controlled the breaks well for Doc, Phil Eager, Philip Weston and Michael Moore. Sadly, though, they were not to get any of the bounty.
With the New Year comes a new motivation for the Dee 3’s – the road to Ravenhill.
FIXTURES
This incoming Saturday the 1st XV welcome Clogher Valley to Donaldson Park on the resumption of Qualifying One league programme for 2015. Given the history between the two sides this game is expected to be keenly contested with the Dee attempting to follow on from their victory at CIYMS on the last Saturday in December but, as ever, Valley will prove formidable opponents. The game kicks off at 2:30pm. Meanwhile both the 2nd XV & 3rd XV have a rest day with league action resuming for both on 17th January 2015.
PRE MATCH LUNCH v CLOGHER VALLEY
The first pre-match lunch of 2015 takes place this Saturday prior to the Clogher Valley game. Catering is by the excellent Bow Belles at a cost of £10 for a two course lunch commencing at 1pm. All bookings should be made, as usual, via Ian Fleming.
