Donaghdee’s dream of a cup double came to an end on Saturday as they were beaten in the Quarter Final of the Powerade Towns Cup by Clogher Valley.
The two teams had met the previous week in a very close league encounter and with a couple of new faces being introduced to the Donaghadee squad the travelling Dee supporters had plenty to be optimistic about.
Clogher Valley took the initiative early, on a very heavy pitch, and scored within the first five minutes. Their influential full back Breen cleverly kicking in behind the Dee defence for his left winger to collect and sprint over the line. The conversion was successful to give the Towns Cup Holders a seven point lead.
Donaghadee enjoyed better possession and territory for long spells of the first half with the lively Ali Lockhart and Richard Millar making a couple of useful breaks into the Valley danger zone. A penalty attempt from Santos during this dominant spell drifted narrowly wide. Clogher, after being starved of possession, scored with their first attack since the opening try on the 22nd minute. Scrum half Bates breaking from the base of the scrum, just outside the Dee 22 before feeding his support player who touched down under the posts. Clogher kicked the conversion to lead 14-0.
On the 25th minute the Clogher valley wing forward was sin binned for an infringement as Donaghadee looked to take a quick penalty close to the home sides try line. In the next phase of play Donaghadee scored via a simple but effective backline move. Lockhart fed the ball to Paul Blewitt who found Ian Martindale on the charge who offloaded to winger Rory Garnham who had cut inside perfectly to create enough space to sprint over the line unopposed. An excellent move, the timing of which seemed to renew belief amongst the men in green and red. Santos converted to reduce the deficit to seven points.
Although Donaghadee capitalised on Valley being reduced to 14 men via their dominance in possession they were unable to add any additional points in the first half
Clogher Valley 14 – Donaghadee 7
A game of two halves is often used in sport – however this game was all about the game of two final quarters. Donaghadee dominated the first 17 minutes of play, winning set pieces, putting the home side on the back foot, attacking at every opportunity but crucially were only able to add another three points to their tally during this period, courtesy of a Santos penalty in the 45th minute.
The home side buoyed on by their fantastic defensive effort on the other hand put Donaghadee to the sword in the final quarter of the game scoring a further three converted tries in a twenty minute period. It wasn’t the second or third of these tries that was the critical one but the first that came on the back of a long period of Dee pressure. To come away from that period with little reward and to get caught on the counter attack appeared to be the sickening blow.
The intensity of the rugby played by the home side in the final quarter was to be admired and it is testament to the newly promoted Donaghadee side that for two weeks in a row they ran the top Junior Club in Ulster very close both home and away. And make no mistake – Clogher Valley are the top club side in Ulster Rugby.
Scoops Man of the Match – Kalave Aualiitia
Donaghadee Team vs. Clogher Valley
Billy Allen, Ricardo Santos, Ian Martindale , Richard Millar, Rory Garnham,Paul Blewitt, Alastair Lockhart, Ryan Willis, Gareth Gordon ,Chris Schofield, Kalave Aualiitia, Richard Martindale,Kenny McCombe,Chris Hamilton Richard Miller – Subs Kyle Morrow – Andrew Faulkner
Fixtures
Saturday 3rd March -Donaghadee vs. Acadamey League – Donaldson Park 2.30pm KO
Condolences
Donaghadee Rugby Club would like to extend their sympathies to Helen Kane and family after the death of husband John Kane last Friday. John was a member and supporter of the Rugby Club and was one of the founders of the well renowned Donaghadee Youth Rugby Section. The Club has the family in their thoughts at this sad time.
