The University of Ulster Coleraine travelled to Donaghadee to take on the current unbeaten league leaders. However it was the home side who came out of the clash victorious with a 25-17 win over the students.
UUC started the game the brighter of the two sides and forced Donaghadee deep into their half with a long clearance kick into the corner. From the lineout the Donaghadee out half got caught mid clearance by UUC’s John Dillon and this allowed Peter Smith to pick up the loose ball and go over for a try and the first points of the game. Lee Murphy converted the try to make it 7:0.
Both teams traded attacks but neither could break the gain line. Donaghadee got their first points on the board and UUC had a played binned under questionable circumstances and this reduced the deficit to 7:3.
After returning to 15 men UUC made another grand attack on the Donaghadee line but after a series of pick and drives couldn’t break the strong defence. Donaghadee added two further penalties to their total to make the half time score 9:7.
After the break Donaghadee were the first to strike by adding another penalty for offside which took the score to 12:7. UUC replied with some slick handling and a great run from David Orr who offloaded to Sam Hall who beat two defenders to score in the corner and level the scores up. The difficult conversion was missed leaving the score at 12:12.
Donaghadee responded strongly by putting together a great series of plays and were eventually awarded a try when their number 8 charges down a clearance kick inside the UUC 22. The conversion was successful. A further penalty for the home side added further points to their score.
UUC rallied and fought their way into the Donaghadee half and after being awarded a scrum, spread the ball down the blindside to allow Calum Rowden to score in the corner. This was to be the last points of the game with the home side winning 25:17, but UUC were pleased to have put up a strong fight against the league leaders.
Next week UUC look forward to welcoming newly promoted Grosvenor RFC to Cromore Road next week.
