MILLAR McCALL WYLIE JUNIOR CUP – DONAGHADEE 8 BELFAST HARLEQUINS 25
The Dee fell to an unexpectedly strong Belfast Harlequins II side in the second round of the Millar MCall Wylie Junior Cup. The importance that the Harlequins Club attached to this game was indicated by the presence of their Head Coach Adam Larkin – who was orchestrating proceedings at Donaldson Park whilst his 1st XV were playing in an Ulster Senior league game in Dungannon. The Dee started well putting their opponents under some pressure and taking the lead through a Mark Cooper penalty kicked from the 10 metre line before a clever kick ahead by Billy Allen was followed up by his fleet footed ring wing Ryan Irvine who beat the Quins full back to the touchdown. Now however the Donaldson Park side went very much off the boil for the middle forty minute period of the game. By half time Quins had pulled back to 8-7 through a converted Kenny McCombe try under the posts after a concerted effort by the Quins pack .
In the second half the Quins pack began to dominate many facets of the game and they stretched to a 13-8 lead after two of the plethora of penalties awarded in their favour were converted. The Dee returned to the fray in the last twenty but, as is often the case in these circumstances, were undone by playing “catch-up” rugby and Quins scored two further tries which left them running out winners by a somewhat flattering 25-8 scoreline.
UUC III 36 DONAGHADEE III 0
Andy Monson’s men made the long trip to Coleraine only to meet an unusually obdurate student side who used their early season ability to field a strong home side to deflate the ambitions of the Donaghadee side. Notable efforts were made however by flanker Mark Nicholl and centre Andrew Mitchell and the side ended up beaten though not bowed! To date it has been a remarkable effort by the Club’s social rugby side this season in terms of fulfilling all their fixtures and there is no doubt when they have some of their key players available and are afforded a level playing field then they will challenge many sides in Minor East 2. However there is no doubt these guys are enjoying their rugby (which is really what it is all about at this level) and it is testament to the dedication of Andy and his cohorts that the 3rd XV has been re-invigorated at the Dee and we look forward to being able to report increasing success during the course of the season – whether it be on the pitch or off it.
FIXTURES
This Saturday the 2nd XV return from their mini-break when the travel to Judges Road to meet City of Derry III in a league game whilst the 3rd XV welcome Malone IV to Donaldson Park. Both games kick-off at 2:30pm and, with the 1st XV having a week off, all support would be much appreciated.
SIX NATIONS TICKETS – AWAY GAMES
Applications are invited for tickets for Ireland’s three away games in the 2015 Six Nations in Italy, Scotland & Wales. These may be secured (depending on availability) by contacting the Club’s new International Tickets Manager Brian Huston at brianhuston@btinternet.com . Final date for application is 5th November 2014 and applicants are reminded that, once orders are made, all applications must be accompanied by payment in full as Clubs now have to pay for the tickets in advance.
