Junior Three
Those hardy Dee supporters braved the wet and windy conditions to support the Dee seconds in their push for more league points on a well worn playing surface at Belmont in East Belfast. Spectators were treated to an open running game of running rugby that produced nine tries, three sin binnings and several injuries brought on by the lengthy two month sabbatical rugby players had experienced.
The young and eager Dee side had the experience of Captain Davy Thompson in the forwards and the evergreen Billy Allen at full back to galvanise their efforts. It was a busy Dee side through the forwards that dominated the early set pieces with number eight Riachard Millar and scrum half Alastair Lockhart scoring early tries. Phil McCaughey added a further try with Millar and Mark Cooper adding a conversion and penalty to increase the Dee lead to 20 points without reply. The returning Paul Hamilton thrilled the spectators with his barnstorming runs and aggressive play at the breakdown as the Dee continued to dominate. Grosvenor were unfortunate to lose their out half to injury following a clash of heads. With no further scoring the teams turned round in the second half with the Grosvenor team scoring the opening try. The Dee team response was immediate with Millar and winger Chris Woods adding further tries. Winger Chris Woods then experienced one of those ‘Dominici’ moments when his team showed their handling skills to move the ball swiftly through several pair of hands only for the player to drop the ball behind the posts. One to forget. Not to have their hard work undone the Dee forwards reasserted their set piece dominance by taking a ball against the head from the resulting five metre scrum for scrum half Alastair Lockhart to score a try with Millar adding the points. With cramp and fatigue kicking in both teams were reduced in numbers with the Grosvenor team taking advantage to score a brace of tries and a conversion to leave a final score of 37 -17 to the Dee team.
This was another encouraging performance by the Dee seconds as they completed the league double over Grosvenor seconds to consolidate their mid table position.
With the introduction of young players such as Phil Collins, Phil McCaughey, Mark Cooper, Andrew Cash and Chris McGivern at this level the future looks bright for the Dee has they continue to build their playing resources.
Dee team 1. Gareth Bennett, 2. Paul Hamilton, 3. Phil Collins, 4. Kyle Morrow, 5. David Thompson (Captain), 6. Phil McCaughey, 7. Chris Hamilton, 8. Richard millar, 9. Alastair lockhart, 10. Mark Cooper, 11. Andrew Cash, 12. Colin Smyth, 13. Chris McGivern, 14. Chris Woods, 15. Billy Allen.
With over thirty players turning out at weekly training, competition for places has become very competitive within the club. With the firsts pushing for league honours, The seconds mid table and competing in the Crawford Cup along with the thirds in the McCambley Cup the playing resources will be extended in the coming weeks and months. So players make sure you set aside the time for those all importants fitness sessions under the guidance of coaches Jimmy McCoy and Andy Monson. Lets see the club bring some silverware to Donaldson Park to celebrate the clubs 125th Anniversary season.
Donaghadee thirds 3 Malone fourths 12
The Dee side made the short journey to Gibson Park to put in an outstanding performance
against a strong Malone team with a crucial late try securing a narrow victory for the men from East Belfast.
The eagerly awaited first leg of the double header between Qualifying Twos, two unbeaten sides CIYMS firsts and Donaghadee Firsts takes place at Belmont this Saturday. The inclement weather frustrated the best efforts of the Dee men to play their first league meeting on December the 18th at Donaldson Park. With CIYMS sitting top with 40 points from 9 matches followed by the Dee side with 33 points from 7 games the outcome of Saturdays result with go along way to determining the potential league winners. With both sides in pole position for the two promotion places neither side can afford any slip ups with the vastly improved Omagh and Ballyclare firsts surging up the league after slow starts in third and forth place.
Despite the added attraction of the crucial Heineken Cup match between Ulster and Aironi on Saturday the large Dee support will be in attendance at Belmont to urge their team on in this appetising fixture.
Fixtures Saturday 22nd January 2011
All kick off 2.30pm
Dee 1sts v CIYMS 1sts Away
Dee 2nds v Limavady 2nds Home
Dee thirds v Randalstown thirds Away
