Having played their last warm-up game three weeks ago the 1st XV travelled to BHSFP a little nervously given the lack of competitive rugby and the fact that an appreciable number of regulars were missing due to holidays and work commitments. However, any fears in that direction were quickly dispelled as the team started exceptionally strongly and opened up a 17-0 lead within the first twenty minutes scoring three well-worked tries. BHSFP were finding it difficult to get out of the blocks but exhibited flashes of promise – especially through their hard-running centre and elusive left-wing. With confidence growing High School broke away upfield and scored a well-crafted converted try to bring the score back to 17-7. On the restart the home side pressed the Dee line but a handling error resulted in a turnover which allowed the Dee to carry the ball the length of the field to score their fourth try and, in so doing, earn an early bonus point leaving the half-time score at 24-7.

The second-half continued in much the same vein as the first and although the Dee remained the dominant side for the most part, early season errors and some defensive lapses combined to stymie their progress. The stubborn BHSFP side refused to beaten and put together their most rewarding spell of the game scoring an unconverted try and were unlucky not to add further to their tally with only last gasp defence denying them. As the two sides tired the game broke up and the open spaces allowed the Dee to retake command scoring a further four tries and end the game 44-12 victors.

Much like the fabled “curate’s egg” the Dee’s performance was “good in parts” but the coaching team will be looking to eliminate a few defensive lapses on the training pitch during the course of the forthcoming week. On the positive side there were some encouraging performances and the victory has laid a sound foundation for the remainder of the league season.

Man of the Match this week goes to Robbie Ingham. Robbie’s game has come on by leaps and bounds over the past two seasons and his work & enthusiasm – especially in defence – proved to be a marker from which the rest of the side took a lead.

Next week the 1st XV welcome Newry to Donaldson Park. The South Down men will be some pundits favourites to mount a sustained challenge for league honours this season so the Dee will need to be on their mettle for what promises to be an interesting encounter.

The other results in Kukri Championship 3 yesterday were as follows:

Monaghan 40 Civil Service 19
Newry 28 Co.Cavan 7
PSNI 31 Holywood 36
Strabane 29 Letterkenny 22
Virginia 31 v Ophir 7