DONAGHADEE v NEWRY
Match Reporter - Stephen Quinn

The Dee 1st XV took on a strong Newry side at Donaldson Park last Saturday. It soon became clear to the home supporters lining the pitch side, that Newry had put out a balanced team with a large pack of forwards who would be troublesome as the match wore on. Donaghadee started well and for the first 5 minutes of the game were camped on the Newry line. The Dee forwards carried well but just as they were about to score there was an infringement on the Newry line, Newry got possession and the play was soon carried into the Dee half. It was end to end stuff for the first 15 minutes but after recycling the ball in the middle of the park on 5 or 6 occasions, outhalf Mark Cooper made an excellent break beating two of the Newry defenders and passing to Chris Hamilton who beat the last defender to score between the posts. The try was converted by Mark Cooper and at this stage the Dee looked to be the stronger team.

Newry soon came back and it was clear that playing down the hill with the wind on their back they would have an advantage in the first half. After some stout defending, the Dee line was crossed to make it 7 all. Mark Cooper then kicked a penalty to take the score to 10-7 for the home side at half time.

H-T: 10-7

With the Dee playing downhill and with the wind, the supporters assumed that we would rack up a few fast tries and soon achieve another bonus point win. It was not to be that easy. The Newry pack outweighed the Dee pack and it was soon evident that the Dee men were having difficulty in the set scrums. However, some great line out work by Jack Matthews playing in the second row meant that we stole four lines out in a row, putting the pressure back onto Newry and playing most of the next 15 minutes in their half. There were a couple of excellent breaks; Dee winger Chris Scott being stopped short of the line after beating several defenders and after several strong thrusts by the forwards the Dee were awarded a penalty. Mark Cooper again converted the penalty bringing the home team to within 1 point of Newry at 13-14. The Dee continued to press but could not cross the line. They were awarded two further penalties – Mark Cooper striking the post with his second attempt and, at that stage, with 7 or 8 minutes to go, it appeared that Donaghadee may be left with a losing bonus point. However, after resisting some good Newry pressure and after reorganising in the scrum they put the pressure back onto the Newry forwards resulting in the Dee backs working a good ball in the centre of the park and David Kirkpatrick, playing in the centre, received a short pass and sliced through the Newry defence to score a good try outwide. The conversion was missed but the Dee held on, using the wind to their advantage, and the referee eventually blew to record another victory for Donaghadee with the final score at 18-14 for the home side.

F-T: 18-14

This was another good performance by Donaghadee. Newry, a much bigger side, had experience and determination yet the Dee were able to rework their tactics, re-organise their set scrum and play a better line out game to steal ball, keep possession and eventually achieve a very good win.

Match Reporter MOTM: Mark Cooper was a little unlucky in some of his place kicks but his general all round play and attacking ability made the difference on the day.