‘The club, players and officials at Donaghadee RFC would like to pass on their deepest sympathies to the Spence family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this tragic time.’
Junior league 3 Donaghadee seconds 7 Omagh thirds 18
Looking to build on an encouraging start to their league programme – Donaghadee seconds surprisingly lost their league game at Omagh. With the returning Richard Millar at number 8 and the experienced Bobby Harpur at scrum half the Dee were expected to pick up the league points. Playing down the slope in the first half the experienced Omagh forwards dominated the forward exchanges throughout the match. After 15 minutes Omagh scored the first converted try to lead 7 – 0. With play confined to between the two twenty two’s it required a last ditch tackle from Bobby Harpur on his own line to hold up the Omagh player and prevent a score. Just on the stroke of halftime Omagh increased their lead to 10 – 0 with a well taken penalty.
Minutes into the second half the Omagh forwards mauled the ball twenty five metres towards the Dee line only to concede a penalty and allow the Dee players to clear their lines. Omagh were then reduced to fourteen players when they lost their fullback through injury. With numerical advantage the Dee side were expected to take control of the game. Outhalf Mark Cooper was presented with an early penalty opportunity to reduce the deficit only to push his attempt wide. When Omagh conceded a further penalty -Cooper kicked the ball to within five metres of the Omagh line. Omagh secured the Dee lineout to clear their lines. Within minutes Omagh had scored an excellent try to increase their lead to 15 – 0. The Dee response was immediate with Mark Cooper gathering an Omagh kick . He offloaded to winger Andrew Cash who cut an angled line. With Cooper running off Cash to hold the Omagh defence, Cash was able to exploit space in the Omagh defence to cut through from twenty five metres for an excellent try behind the posts with Cooper adding the points. With fifteen minutes left the Dee team now had the opportunity to win the game. Instead it was the fourteen men of Omagh who closed the game down and added a further penalty to win comfortably by 18 – 7.
The Dee players lost this game through their inability to win their own set pieces and contest the breakdown. Without a platform provided by the Dee forwards the Dee backline were not able to display their attacking potential. With a break the players will have the opportunity to put things right on training nights.
There is talent in the side with backs Mark Cooper, Gareth Martin and Andrew Cash demonstrating that they have the potential to push for places on the first xv. Back row forward Richard Black is another player who can lend his experience to the first xv forwards.
Dee team 1. Andrew Torrens, 2. James Neill, 3.Ryan Willis, 4. Andrew Collins, 5. Andrew Dunn ( Capt), 6.Philip McGaughey, 7. Richard Black, 8. Richard Millar, 9. Bobby Harpur, 10. Mark Cooper, 11. Andrew Cash, 12. Gareth Martin, 13. Andrew Findlater, 14. Arthur Brown, 15. Gavin Wallace.
Fixtures Saturday 22nd September 2012
Donaghadee 1st xv v Armagh seconds – Conference league (Away) Kick Off 2.30PM
Donaghadee thirds v PSNI seconds – Minor league (Away) Kick Off 2.30PM
Donaghadee 3rd XV v Randalstown 3rd XV Saturday 15th September
A bright and sunny afternoon at Donaldson Park saw Donaghadee 3rd XV prepare for their third game of the season against the men from Randalstown. Standing in for injured captain Mark Mitchell was former captain and club stalwart Davy Moore.
After the toss Donaghadee kicked off with Randalstown facing down to the club house. Both teams looking poised for the tough 80 minutes ahead. Both sides put in the hard yards in the first half with both sides being unable to convert their chances of points with the half ending 0-0.
The beginning of the second half saw Randalstown lead the attack from the kick off with some strong offence but the home side weren’t deterred holding their nerve and once in possession of the ball went onto score two converted trys with clinical precision. The Men from Randalstown fired right back with a converted try of their own. The experienced Dee men responded by stepping up a gear scoring a further two unconverted trys ending the game on a high.
Final score 24-7.
