After an horrendous night’s rain the Dee faithful were delighted to learn that the pitches were in perfect condition at Donaldson Park for the 1st XV’s Kukri Championship 3 game against Ophir. It has been many years since Ophir and the Dee met in a competitive game at 1st XV level and Donaghadee President John Blewitt alluded to that fact as welcomed the Ophir officials to the Pre-Match Lunch.

The Dee had made a few changes from the previous week resting Chris Hamilton, Sam Ingham and Chris Good allowing Andy McCracken, Karl Yellop and Chris McGivern back into the side – the latter making a welcome return after long-term injury.

Out-half Mark Cooper kicked off at 2:30pm and Ophir immediately spilled the ball allowing the Dee to gain possession. The ball was fed to Ben Siri, making his first start for the Dee at centre, who outpaced the despairing Ophir defence and open the home side’s account. Five minutes later the returning McGivern found himself of the end of slick threequarter movement and duly emulated Siri with a try in the opposite corner. Both of these tries remained unconverted and there was no change in the score until the 14th minute when another backline move allowed McGivern to deliver the sweetest of inside offloads to his supporting full-back Danny McBride who then darted in to score unchallenged. By this stage Donaghadee were in full charge of the game and a further seven tries were scored in the first-half through Siri (2), Matthew Stockton (2), Cooper, Yellop and Paul Johnston.

The second-half proceeded in much the same fashion as the first and despite the best of efforts from a brave Ophir side a further five tries were scored through Johnston (2), Yellop, McBride and Stockton.

Difficult to choose a Man of the Match in such circumstances and a number of players who did not make the scoresheet stood out. Chris Scott had a big first half ably supported by Andy McCracken and Jack Chesney but this week’s accolade goes to hooker Morgan McCartney who took five strikes against the head – an extremely unusual occurrence in this day and age – and who continues to display great level of form in the front row which belies his tender years.

Our thanks are due to the gutsy Ophir team whom, despite the difficulties they were having, fought and contested every ball and hung in until the bitter end. As we at Donaghadee know only too well rugby works in cycles and Ophir’s attitude and spirit will mean that they will have better days in the not too distant future.

The 1st XV now have an extremely welcome rest week next Saturday before the tricky fixture away to Strabane on the 24th of the month. The 2nd XV have a longer break before they travel to Omagh on Saturday 1st of December.