After the long mid-winter break it was a joy to arrive at Donaldson Park last Saturday for the postponed League game between Donaghadee Seconds and CIYMS and find an amazingly large crowd of spectators welcoming the players on to the field. It shows how deprived the Donaghadee faithful had been over Christmas and New Year, and how pleased they were to see a competitive game again. The day itself was dry, if still a bit cold, but with the main playing pitch in excellent condition after the weeks of snow and ice. It took the thirty players a few minutes to get the lately unused muscles working, but the game looked very competitive right from the start.
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First blood went to Donaghadee. After slow and steady progress into the CI half Andy Monson saw he was in the perfect position for a penetrating grubber kick through the middle to the visitors’ defence. The attacking threequarters are usually favourites with such bouncing balls because they are running on to them while the defenders are more flat-footed as they try to guess the direction of the bounces. On this occasion it was Richard Millar who was quick enough and fortunate enough to be in exactly the right place at the right time to gather and dive over the CI line for the easiest of opportunities for Monson to convert, giving Donaghadee a 7-0 lead.
For a period the play ebbed and flowed with both teams giving the impression that they were still sounding each other out. Attacks were mounted, but the tackles mostly went in. For about ten minutes there was what one might call an active stalemate. And then suddenly there was a moment that one does not often experience or witness. The CI left winger picked up a loose ball around the half-way line and set off towards the Dee line. For whatever reasons of their own the nearby Donaghadee and CI players seemed to have decided that there had been or was about to be a whistle blown – and everyone but the ball carrier stopped. Quite rightly, this last mentioned player, and the referee, just kept going down the left wing to score a surprise try. Because the last line of Donaghadee defence had eventually covered across, the conversion was a difficult touchline kick that missed, but the score was now only 7-5 to the Dee.
As the game approached half-time it had become fairly obvious that the Donaghadee forwards were the stronger outfit, but that CI had a few dangerous-looking threequarters. David Thompson was in total control at all the rucks and mauls, claiming the ball time and time again, and then marshalling his fellow forwards as they repeatedly drove at CI. When the ball did manage to get to the Dee backs both Mark Cooper and Andy Monson used it well to keep the game mostly in CI territory. Monson, clearly coming back to full match fitness after a long injury lay-off, showed much of his old generalship and experience, but his young half-back colleague showed that he too appreciates how a game should be run. For Donaghadee their slender lead was clearly not enough, even with the thought that they would have the benefit of the elements in the second period. However, they were really shocked when a mid-field penalty to CI gave their kicker an opportunity he probably did not expect to kick a penalty goal to give his side a slender, but nevertheless important, one point advantage.
This reverse might actually have been worse for Donaghadee because the visitors almost immediately mounted what turned out to be their most menacing attack. In the half’s last hurrah they ran the ball right across their backs to their left with about three men over in the threequarter line. The last pass went to hand leaving the CI winger with no one to beat, but to Donaghadee’s delight the referee’s whistle sounded because he had seen that this last pass was marginally forward. As the Dee players went to their half-time huddle spectators could almost hear the words “That was close”.
Donaghadee’s confidence was restored soon after the break when Monson stroked a penalty kick over for a narrow 10-8 lead. CI, to their great credit, used this reverse to mount a series of attacks through their mid-field backs, and with the occasional charge up their right wing. A bit worryingly for the home supporters was that on many of these charges the first-up tackling by the Donaghadee men was not as accurate and destructive as it should have been. Perhaps the long break was much to blame, but there was a positive side. Any time CI did get partly through, the Donaghadee cover of back row players Gavin Prue, Paddy Quinn and Craig McCoy were back to help full back Chris Woods and wingers Andy Cash and Chris McGivern close out the danger.
Some of the CI running from set pieces looked very ominous, and it must have been very frustrating for them to make the early penetration, but then be denied by the determined cover tackling. Donaghadee too were frustrated by the well-organised defensive pattern of CI’s that snuffed out so many of the Dee’s attacks. Frustration in contact sports is often followed by friction, and with twenty minutes still left it was not much of a surprise when the referee decided that there were just too many spats and allowed a forward from each side a ten minute period for reflection. This calmed things down and the rugby improved.
Yet another well-judged diagonal kick from Donaghadee scrum-half Cooper looked ominous for CI, but they eventually cleared their lines and forced play upfield into the Dee half. Here a bit of sloppiness, or maybe just CI’s bad luck, near the Dee “22” allowed the ball to pop straight into the arms of Millar. The big Dee centre needed no encouragement as he set off for the CI line. The combined efforts of their left winger and full-back were up to the task and the ball was scrambled into touch.
The Donaghadee players of course were disappointed, but had the sense to do their best to take advantage of the excellent field position to try for some points with so little time left. Naturally the CI forwards strove just as hard to keep their line intact, but someone must have been just too eager to prevent the ball being released – and the ref spotted him. A Donaghadee kick at goal, in the middle of the field and on the “22” – time for Monson. His cool and calm conversion gave Donaghadee the comfort of a five-point lead with only minutes left.
From the restart Donaghadee claimed possession and took play upfield yet again. The scoreboard clock was now showing that ordinary time was up, but the Dee forwards were still playing with the unity that had exemplified their game all day, and they were calmly retaining possession as they stole glances at the clock, now showing minutes into extra time. When they finally shifted the ball out to Monson he simply tried a drop-goal knowing that even if it missed the game was over. It did miss, but Donaghadee were happy to win an entertaining and hard-fought contest by 13 points to 8. It was pleasing to see both teams enthusiastically applauding and congratulating their opponents as the teams left the field. Like the spectators, they had all had a fine and satisfying afternoon.
Donaghadee team: Chris Woods, Chris McGivern, Richard Millar, Andrew Findlater, Andrew Cash, Andy Monson, Mark Cooper: Garth Bennett, Phil McCaughey, Phil Collins, Kyle Morrow, David Thompson, Craig McCoy, Paddy Quinn and Gavin Prue.
This Saturday
Donaghadee’s 1st XV yet again have no game this coming Saturday (15 Jan), and the enforced break is very frustrating for all concerned. Match Secretary Frank Porter has almost been living on the phone for two or three weeks now, but continually hears that although pitches have sometimes been playable, any possible Qualifying League opponents cannot play because of demands to get Cup games completed. So, it will be at least the 22nd of January before Donaghadee’s First XV can play a competitive game. This is eight, yes eight, weeks without match play. Club coach Jimmie McCoy and his players must be impatient beyond belief to get their so-far successful League season back on track.
Of course, Donaghadee’s position is not unique; hardly any teams have had competitive fixtures. According to the Ulster Branch of the IRFU website, the current position on Mon. 10 Jan is that little has changed since November. CIYMS are still leading Qualifying League 2 with 8 wins out of 8 games, and 32 game points and 4 bonus points, Donaghadee are second with 7 wins out of 7 games and 28 game points and 5 bonus points, Omagh are third with 27 points, but having played 9 games and lost 3 of them. Ballyclare and UUC are fourth and fifth, each with 4 wins out of 7 games played, but with ‘Clare having one more bonus point than UUC. All teams are anxious to get back in play.
This Saturday
This Saturday (15 Jan) Donaghadee’s Second XV have an away game against Grosvenor Seconds at Belmont (actually on the pitch adjacent to the one where CI’s First XV will be playing their close friends and rivals Grosvenor in QL2) and the Thirds play entertain Malone 4ths at Donaldson Park. Games scheduled to kick off at 2.30pm.
For Your Diary
Fingers crossed, Donaghadee’s Firsts are listed to play CIYMS Firsts at Belmont on 22nd January in a game that must have a big impact on both teams’ League ambitions. On the same day Limavady Seconds visit Donaghadee to play the home club’s fast-improving Seconds, while the Dee Thirds have a visit to Randalstown to play their Thirds.
The club’s next pre-match lunch is scheduled for Saturday 29 January, the day of the home league game with Carrick. Reservations are now being taken. Anyone wishing to attend should contact Hans Arthur at Grace Neills Bar, or Club Hon. Sec. Jim McGrugan as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
If you haven’t bought your copies of the club’s 125th Anniversary Brochure yet, you can get them easily at the club or at any of the usual outlets in Donaghadee, Bangor or Newtownards. Also don’t forget that as part of their 125th Anniversary celebrations Donaghadee have arranged a grand match against an International XV (well, a few might be former Internationals – names later) at Donaldson Park for the afternoon of Saturday 16 April 2011. This fixture is being arranged through the Irish Rugby Football Union Charitable Trust. In the evening there will be a dinner that is already attracting a lot of attention, possibly because five highly respected speakers have promised to address the assembled company on the same evening. If you were present at any of such dinners held previously you will know that they are always memorable. It is still early for making firm bookings, but jot it in your diary anyway.
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