DONAGHADEE 2nd XV 22 ARDS 3rd XV 5
Dee II welcomed Ards III to Donaldson Park in a Junior League 4 game which was much anticipated given their opponents last gasp win in the parallel fixture in the previous season. With a few tyros missing – including skipper Stephen Cullen & Matthew Kane unavailable through holiday & work commitments respectively – the side knew they would have to dig deep to overcome a big Ards side which included the hard running & much travelled Serelli McGoon in their ranks. On the plus side Nigel Barker was making a comeback after an extended period on the sideline through injury and stand-in skipper Paul Blewitt would be orchestrating proceedings from the No. 10 spot.
Dee started strongly with conditions excellent underfoot, given the rainfall during the previous week, with Rhys Thompson, Matthew Johnson & Jamie Wilson leading from the front and Barker stymieing any Ards attacks with trademark strong tackling in the centre. The incessant pressure from the Dee men led to two penalties – each of which were converted by right wing Andy McGrugan. As the Dee continued to press opportunities were spilled or ignored until a concerted period of offence grinding through the phases led the Ards defence being exposed. The ball was once again moved through the hands with left wing Andy Cash joining the line, feinting an offload to his support and crashing through to score. McGrugan added the extras. Unfortunately Barker had to leave the field at this point having aggravated an injury which meant Chris McGivern had to leave the scrum-half position in which he had hitherto impressed to move to the centre with No. 8 Chris Scott deputising at No. 9.
As expected Ards made a strong comeback applying pressure via Serelli and their impressive No. 6 threatening to break through on more than one occasion but the Dee defence held strong with full-back Dicky Bailey particular prominent in his tackle defence and security under the high ball. Ards effectiveness was reduced however on the stroke of half-time when Serelli was yellow carded for a high tackle.
The Dee turned around 13-0 ahead and Blewitt exerted his influence on the game using his unparalleled knowledge of the Donaldson Park 1st XV pitch to send long raking kicks downfield turning Ards offence into a defensive scramble and allowing the tireless Dee pack to create havoc in the loose. As is often the case in such circumstances Ards leaked penalties and the excellent McGrugan kicked a further two three pointers to stretch to a 19-0 lead. Towards the end of the second period the Dee took their eye off the ball a little & some sustained Ards pressure led to their only score of the game when slick interplay between forwards & backs led to the aforementioned No.6 barging over for an unconverted try. The smallest element of doubt then crept into the minds of the Dee faithful watching from the sidelines but the Twos returned to their earlier controlled style of play before being awarded a penalty which McGrugan again converted to give him a personal tally of seventeen points for the afternoon. No side was blown soon afterwards leaving the final score 22-5 to the home side and with it the bragging rights – at least until the two sides meet in the return fixture later in the season.
Great credit is due to the men who stepped up from the Threes for this game including Wilson, Davy Kirkpatrick, Garth Bennett and Mark Mitchell. Some stirring performances from the Dee men and, although a team performance, special mention for Blewitt for his control, Scott & McGivern for their ability to change position seamlessly, Wilson & Thompson for a power display in the pack and McGrugan for his peerless place kicking, Andy Mitchell for another all-action performance but Man of the Match goes to Johnson for his outstanding display in both defence & attack together with his command of the lineout. Finally these two sides were probably well matched on paper but the difference proved to be the cohesive and controlled display by the Dee – due in no small part to the influence of their Coach John West ably assisted by S&C Coach Paddy McGrattan.
