DEE VICTORS IN CLASSIC TOWNS CUP ENCOUNTER
Quarter Finals await as Dee overcome Larne
Donaghadee 1st XV travelled to The Glynn last Saturday for a Towns Cup second round tie against Larne – a side who had beaten them 32-15 in a league game earlier in the season in a result which may have slightly flattered the winners with two late scores but was nonetheless deserved. Larne will have looked forward the game with some confidence given that result but, this is a much changed Dee side over the past month and the visitors were certain they would give a much better account of themselves this time out. In terms of personnel Matthew Johnston returned to the Dee side after missing the Carrick game and Matthew Martin came on to the bench.
Playing up the hill and into the wind Donaghadee began strongly and after almost ten minutes pressure Larne were penalised for a high tackle on Chris Good wide on their own twenty two and Dee centre stepped up to convert and to give the Dee an early lead of 3-0. Larne returned to the fray and pressed the Dee line on a number of occasions but the visiting defence remained firm and turnover ball took them out of their own territory where a penalty at the end of the first quarter on the opposition ten metre line was kicked deep into the home twenty two. Dee second row Jack Cooke secured ball and the Dee maul – which had been dominating all first half – moved towards the line. Successive drives were repelled by the stout home defence but eventually – with Larne’s peripheral defenders sucked in….. CLICK HERE for the full report
