Match Reporter - Peter Walker

Due to Ireland v England Grand Slam match Strabane v Dee game kicked off at 12:45. A very early St Patricks Day start for team and supporters leaving the Dee at 8:30 am.

Conditions were very windy, but pitch was wide which was going to suit the Dee style of play. Also, as per the Dee home pitch there was a considerable slope. Strabane won the toss and decided to play with slope and wind in the first half. This made it very hard for the Dee to get out of their own half, it was going to need some very good defensive work to keep Strabane out, this was the objective to keep the score down. A few Dee attacks mainly came from hard forward drives from Sam Ingram, Kyle Morrow and Chris Hamilton. From these attacks backs tried to move the ball but with some difficulty resulting in quite a few knock ons, indeed this was the same for both teams which didn’t help the continuity of the game.

First score went Strabane’s way with quite a long-range penalty. 10 minutes later the Dee got a penalty and decided to go for the corner. Ball was secured well at the line out and from fine inter play by the backs, Chris Knox scored under the posts. Score now 7-3 to the Dee.

A few minutes later Strabane got a penalty in front of Dee posts and decided on taking the scrum option. With the Dee missing a few key forwards it showed in the scrums especially on this occasion when Strabane pushed us over the line under the posts. Score now 10-7 to the home team. During next period of play there were some great turnovers from Connor McKee and Chris Hamilton and Ryan Campbell.
Unfortunately, what the Dee thought was another great turnover, the ref decided it was not legal and awarded Strabane a penalty from quite far out. This was put over to give them a lead of 13-7. Dee could not afford to let them get too far ahead but Strabane did by scoring a well taken try from the half way line also helped by some weak tackling and what looked like an obvious forward pass, but the ref didn’t see it that way. Score now 18-7 to Strabane. Cooper put over what was to be a very important penalty for the Dee on stroke of half time.

Half time score 18-10 to Strabane. At this stage a win, never mind a bonus point, looked a long way off.

Only positive point at this stage was that the Dee had all the benefits going for them in the second half, but this was not going to be easy as Strabane provided tough opposition especially up front. An early score was required from the Dee. Strabane knocked on the Dee 22 resulting in a Dee scrum, ball was well secured, backs then produced some slick handling for Knox to go over under the posts with conversion to follow, score was now 18-17.

Dee supporters felt a bit more relaxed at this stage but knew it was still all to play for and game could go either way.
The Dee score was followed by intense Strabane pressure backed up by a strong and vocal local support. Three key incidents happened in this period of play.

Rory Garnham went off with a bad arm injury; Strabane winger was heading for the line to be stopped just short by several last-minute tackles. A few minutes later Strabane got a 5-metre scrum on Dee line, as per previous scrums the Dee were in retreat and what looked like a certain score was ruined by their wing forward breaking too early. What a let off for the Dee.
With just 15 minutes to go Chris Knox scored his hat trick. This came after some great forward carries and some superb side steps for him to get around the Strabane defence. Three tries scored but game still not won. Score now 22-18 to the Dee.
The home team at this stage were struggling to get out of their 22 and it was just a matter if the Dee could score another try and a very important bonus point.
They came close a few times, but it was finally achieved on the final whistle thanks to scrum half Paul Johnston. What a relief to the players, coaches and travelling Dee support. A hard-earned win and bonus point achieved.

This now keeps promotion hopes well alive as well as the team reaching the Gordon West Cup Final on 7th April 2018.
Thanks to Strabane for entertaining us in the Strabane Cricket Club were the Dee gathered to witness Irelands Grand Slam victory. A great St Patricks Day out.

Gordon West Cup final – Saturday 7th April

The Dee have reached the above Cup Final and will be travelling to the Kingspan to play Lurgan/Monaghan.
This is a big achievement and the Club would like as much support as possible from the town.
Supporter coaches are being organised by the Club and further information and full details will be posted on Facebook on Friday 23rd March.
This will also include how to book a place on one of the coaches.