Both teams were on the hunt for points on Saturday for very different reasons – Dromore in their fight against relegation and Donaghadee in their bid to finish in the top four of Qualifying League One.
After a disappointing outing against Cooke the previous week Donaghadee began the game at an intense pace scoring two tries in the opening 10 minutes. The first was a fine solo effort from fly-half Nigel Barker who glided past the Dromore defence to score under the posts. Barker turned provider for the second, creating space for Dee skipper Bobby Harpur to use his pace and power to cross the line.
Donagahdee’s third try without reply came on the 15th minute via a second of the day for Harpur. This time he created his own space with some neat footwork and ran in unopposed from just outside the Dromore 22.
Dromore were awarded a penalty midway through the first half and opted to get some points on the board and the young scrum-half did not disappoint with a well taken penalty.
Donaghadee only had to wait until the 32nd minute for their all-important bonus point try and it was courtesy of a try from the outstanding performer of the half Keith McIlwaine. McIlwaine, playing at Number 8 was strong in attack and appears to be regaining his early season form after a frustrating season of injuries.
Half Time Dromore 3 Donaghadee 26
Dromore scored two tries in the second half, converting both however it was too little too late after Donaghadee’s first half scoring. Donaghadee also scored a further three tries in the second period with tries from Ricardo Santos, who intercepted in his own half and ran the length of the pitch to score, and from Kalave Aualiitia who scored from the right wing position after excellent work in the loose from the most talented Gareth Gordon.
On the 78th minute the Dee faithful were treated to the best score of the day. Chris Good came off the bench on the 60th minute and added a new urgency to the Donaghade effort. In one of the last phases of play Good found himself in the out half pocket just inside the Dromore 22. The prop forward teased the four man overlap with a show of the ball that created a gap that he fully exploited, touching down under the uprights.
Donaghadee’s season is very much coming to the business end of things and with the squad in reasonable shape, with players returning from injury, it promises to be an exciting end to a memorable season. Chris Hamilton is the most notable return after breaking his leg in an opening game of the season, and returned to league action on Saturday with a typically committed performance.
Donaghadee now face a double header against league leaders and Towns Cup favourites Clogher Valley starting with a league match at home on Saturday. Your support in both these games against Valley would be must appreciated and hopefully the 1st XV can finish the season on another high.
Scoops Man of the Match
Gareth Gordon – Another outstanding performance, playing out of position from the Donaghadee stalwart
Donaghadee 1st XV vs. Ballymoney
Billy Allen, Ricardo Santos, Bobby Harpur (c), Richard Millar ,Chris McGivern (John Campbell),Nigel Barker, Alastair Lockhart, Ryan Willis, Phil McCaughey (Chris Good), Gareth Gordon, Kalave Aualiitia, Kyle Morrow, Chris Hamilton, Kenny McCombe, Keith McIlwaine
Fixtures & Events
Friday 17th February Ulster vs. Cardiff on the Big Screen at Donaldson Park – 7pm Kick Off
Saturday 18th February – League Action return to Donaldson Park with the visit of league leaders Clogher Valley – 2.30pm Kick Off
