Donaghadee played their first league game of 2012 last Saturday looking to maintain their excellent form of 2011. Coleraine hosted Donaghadee in a re-match of the Junior Cup Final and it was the Bannsiders who came out on top in this exciting league clash.
Donaghadee enjoyed a bright start, Nigel Barker slicing through the Coleraine defence in the first minute with only an excellent last gasp tackle from the covering fullback preventing a Donaghadee score.
Ricardo Santos made the most of excellent kicking conditions and put Donaghadee in the lead with a penalty after three minutes.
Donaghadee continued to dominate the early exchanges and scored their first try of the afternoon on the 12th minute. Nigel Barker fed the ball to club captain Bobby Harpur who attacked the line before offloading to the oncoming Richard Miller whose excellent attacking line allowed him to touch down under the posts. Santos converted to give Donaghadee a 10-0 lead.
Coleraine got a foothold on the game after the Donaghadees score. In an uncharacteristic defensive display Donaghadee missed a number of first time tackles that allowed the strong ball carriers of Coleraine to dominate open play and build up a useful momentum during this period.
Santos and Allen combined well in the 15th minute to relieve Dee pressure with an excellent high ball take from Santos who released the ball to Allen who kicked the ball deep into the Coleraine half.
Coleraine out-half Andrews kicked two penalties midway through the first half to reduce Donaghadee’s lead to four points.
In a pulsating finish to the first half both teams had opportunities to add to their points tally. It was Coleraine who looked most likely on the 35th minute, their full-back breaking through a number of tackles and only a fantastic ‘tap tackle’ by Kalave Aualiitia preventing a certain try.
Dee secured the ball from this Coleraine move and Alastair Lockhart quickly fed the ball to Richard Miller. The athletic Miller set off from deep in Donaghadee’s half and had only one route in mind, immediately attacking the Coleraine 22. An excellent chase from a Coleraine defender meant that Miller had to look for the supporting Chris McGivern. Unfortunately the inside ball to McGivern did not go to hand and the scoring opportunity was lost.
Colearine then took advantage of a fragmented defence and went on their own counter attack eventually being scuppered thanks to a good tackle from Richard Martindale.
Half Time Coleraine 6 Donaghadee 10
Both teams showed glimpses of enterprise in the opening stages of the second half but were unable to create any clear opportunities to add to their first half scores.
In the middle period of the half both team were reduced to 14 men for separate offences. Santos and Andrews also exchanged penalty kicks during this period to leave the Dee men four points ahead going into the final quarter.
On the 64th minute Coleraine took the lead for the first time with a well taken try from club stalwart David Andrews who powered his way over the line from close range after a period of Coleraine pressure. Andrews kicked the conversion to give the home side a narrow 16-13 lead,
Donaghadee responded immediately via a Ricardo Santos try in the club house corner and although this was unconverted Donaghadee appeared to have done what all successful teams are capable of doing and that is grinding out a win when not playing at their very best.
This 18 -16 lead was however not enough to secure what would have been an excellent away win with Coleraine adding two late penalties to run out 22-18 winners.
Donaghadee did put late pressure on the Coleraine line, but it was too late and Coleraine hung on inflict Donaghadee’s second defeat of the season.
Scoops Man of the Match: Kenny McCombe
Donaghadee team vs. Coleraine
Billy Allen, Ricardo Santos, Bobby Harpur (c), Richard Miller ,Chris McGivern,Nigel Barker, Alastair Lockhart, Ryan Willis, Gareth Gordon ,Chris Good, Kalave Aualiitia, Kyle Morrow, Richard Martindale, Kenny McCombe), Keith McIlwaine
Fixtures and Events
Saturday 21st January – Donaghadee vs. Limavady (League – Home – 2.30pm KO)
Date for your diary; Junior Cup Presentation and Casino Night at Pier 36. – Friday 20th January.
“Pier 36 and 1st Peninsula Bouncers have clubbed together to put on a special night to celebrate the winning of the Junior Cup and to help raise some badly needed club funds. and will be in the form of the Club Captain presenting the trophy to the Club President.
Followed by a night at the Casino. The evening is Black Tie and is sure to be great craic. Tickets are £10 to get your chips, players with the most chips will win some fabulous prizes!!
If you would like to reserve tickets or book a table for dinner please give Lewis a call at Pier 36.”
