Saturday 26th November saw Conference League Toppers. Donegal travel to Deramore Park to Play Quins 2’s on what could be said was the wettest and windiest day of the season so far.
Quins were expecting a hard encounter, Donegals record this season so far. and the fact Quins had not played as a team since the end of October but the spectators were not to be disappointed.
The game started at pace the young Quins pack playing with the intensity they were asked to show and the free moving of the ball along the backs but Donegals experience showed and they held off the early Quins domination until on 5 minutes Tim Shaw crashed over the line to score the first try on the game, a good conversion by Mark Thompson put Quins 7 – 0 infront.
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TRY TIME VID:
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Donrgal came back with confidence straight away but although putting the Home side under good pressure could not get across the whitewash. However at this pint Quins lack of game time started to show and errors crept into their game giving Donegal good counter attack options, but Quins Defence stood the trail and were rewarded with a penalty which Thompson put between the uprights giving Quins a lead of 10 – 0.
Some 3 minutes after the restart a Quins infringement gave Donegal the chance to get on the scoreboard which they took making the score 10 – 3 at halftime.
After the halftime talk Quins came back onto the pitch with intent, they up’d their play rate but Donegal managed to stay with them and defended well and it was not until 15 minutes into the half until Thompson scored a try which he again converted, 17 -3. A bit of daylight had started to appear for the home side but Donrgal were not going to give up and some excellent rugby was played despite the conditions but he Home side covering tackles were good and they stopped any chances of Donegal scoring.
Interview Wiht Coach Mark Henderson
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The game was sealed with Quins Josh McKee scoring out wide putting the final score to 22 -3 .
A very entertaining game in which both sides played the conditions well but yet kept the ball moving, Quins rustiness showed under their attack pressure when players over ran or crowded space but it was to be expected. Donegal were strong and executed their game plan well and it can be seen why they are so successful this season.
Credit must also go the the match official Mark Surgenor who had an excellent day incharge of the game in such conditions.
Quins 2’s next game is away to Cavan again in the Conference League next Saturday.
