Donaghadee v Dromore
Dromore travelled to newly promoted Donaghadee and in a disjointed performance lost 38 14. There where many similarities to last week as once again Dromore faced a team that where simply bigger and stronger and had to spend long periods of the game defending. Once Dee got into their stride it was only a matter of when not if they would score and their first try came after ten minutes. Their lead was further stretched soon after and Dromore were 14 points down with only fifteen minutes on the clock. Playing with the slope and wind Dee kept Dromore pinned in their own half with some strong runs from their backs and astute kicking from their out half. Dee added two more tries before half time to leave Dromore trailing 26 0.
With the wind and slope now in their favour Dromore started the second half strongly but could not breach the resolute Dee defence and it was the home team who scored next with an unconverted try to stretch their lead to 31 0. Dee seemed to take their foot of the gas and Dromore came more into the game. Quick thinking by Steve Morgan from a tap penalty opened a gap in the home defence and he off loaded to Stuart Jordan who scored under the posts, Aaron Stewart added the conversion 31 7. Dee responded with a converted try to take the score to 38 7. Right on the whistle Matthew Russell intercepted a loose pass and scored under the posts with Aaron once again adding the conversion final score 38 14.
Not so many positives to take from this performance except that a number of players were out of position with Sammy Russell playing for the first time at scrum half and Adam Macgregor having to play in the centre. The team will need to lift their game next week when Ballymoney captained by ex Dromore player James Cleland will be the visitors.
Dromore 2′s v Ballymena 3′s
Dromore seconds commenced their league campaign with a hard fought win over Ballymena 3′s at Barbanhill. Richard Beggs, Daryl Boyd, Jamie McFarland and young Steenson all scored tries with Steenson adding two conversions and a penalty. The game was tied at 25 each with the final conversion needed to win the game for Dromore. Steenson stepped up to the marked and with a superb conversion from the touchline won the game for the home team.
Dromore 3′s v Ballymena 4′s
Posted on Sep 11, 2011
Dromore 3′s made it a day for Ballymena to forget as they also inflicted a narrow victory over the visitors 4′s. The thirds were able draw on the experience of Jeremy Ogle for this game and as usual he got himself on the score sheet with a penalty and conversion. Graham Monteith made a welcome return and scored one of the home teams three tries. Pip Ireland was so emotional about the victory that he completely for got the name of the other try scorers.
