Donaghadee entertained Belfast High School FP at a rain & wind drenched Donaldson Park. After an excellent Pre-Match Lunch at which former British Lion and Dee man Colin Patterson was the main speaker most, if not all, of the participants joined the strong home support on the side-lines and braved the horrendous weather conditions.

The side showed a number of changes once again with skipper Matthew Stockton, Paul Johnston and Danny McBride returning. On the minus side influential No. 8 Sam Ingham had succumbed to an injury picked up against Virginia and Chris Knox & Ben Siri were also missing. Chris Scott moved into the pack to cover for Ingham and Jack Chesney got a rare start at tight-head with Johnny Gamble joining Rab Irwin on the bench.

Showing little regard for the prevailing conditions the Dee opened strongly and displayed their intent when, after just four minutes play, quick ball allowed Stockton to interchange passes with winger Chris McGivern and score under the posts – Mark Cooper adding the extras. The shock of this early score stung the visitors into action and, for the next quarter hour, they put the Dee under significant pressure with successive drives downfield. The Dee defence however stood strong and the home side always looked threatening on the break. After twenty minutes ball was turned by the Dee before centre Karl Yellop released Stockton who made thirty metres before passing to McGivern who outpaced the BHSFP defence to score an unconverted try wide out. With the bit now firmly between their teeth Donaghadee attacked relentlessly towards the Newtownards end of the ground and from fast ruck ball scrum-half Johnston fired a reverse overhead kick high into the opposition twenty-two for right winger Robbie Ingham to field and recycle through the threequarters for Stockton to get his second try of the day, again unconverted. Despite the worsening conditions the Dee persevered with their open style of play and ten minutes later Cooper took advantage of stretched visiting defence to sell two outrageous dummies and scamper under the post for the bonus point try and taking the score to 24-0 after adding the extras. From the kick-off Donaghadee pressed again but were denied by some stout defending from BHSFP. On the stroke of half-time however, Johnston broke right from a ruck on the twenty-two and reverse passed inside to Kyle Morrow who had picked the sweetest of running lines to then outsprinted the tiring opposition defence and score to the right of the posts. Cooper converted to leave the score 31-0 to the home side at the break.

The second-half began in untidy fashion from a home point of view and BHSFP showed their mettle with strong defence and a willingness to attack whenever the opportunity presented itself. However, twelve minutes into the second-half a loose kick out of defence from the visitors allowed the covering Stockton to gather forty metres out before executing what appeared to be a speculative chip and chase into the opposition twenty two. Whilst the sages on the side-line were bemoaning what looked like a wasted opportunity the mercurial skipper had other ideas and chased his own kick outsprinting the despairing BHSFP defence to touch down under the posts for his hat trick, Cooper again converting. Ten minutes later the Dee broke from their own ten metre line and the ball reached Ingham who outpaced a number of defenders before passing inside to his support. The ball now passed through a number of hands in a striking display of interplay before finally reaching Johnston who dived over the line for the best score of the day – Cooper adding the extras. Three minutes later quick ball allowed the fleet-footed McGivern to outpace the opposition from the halfway to score his brace under the posts and allowing Cooper to add a further two points. Having half an eye on the weather and with the result in no doubt referee Richard Sweeney ( who had had an excellent game) brought matters to an early close and allowed the players from both sides the opportunity for a hot shower.

Some excellent performances from the Dee against a spirited BHSFP side with the usual suspects such as Stockton, Johnston and Hamilton putting in the hard yards and an impressive league debut from Gamble off the bench . Man of the Match on this occasion however goes second-rower Kyle Morrow whose aggression and sweet handling skills were a thorn in the opposition side all afternoon, topped off of course by his excellent score.

Back in the Clubhouse it was great to see how many of the BHSFP men, both players and alickadoos, stayed to share some craic with the Dee men. Especially pleasing to renew old friendships with the likes of John Field and Ken Hutchinson and just goes to show the spirit of club rugby lives on!!

Next week the 1st XV travel to Newry for what is always a challenging trip. The lads always value their travelling support so even though it is getting close to Christmas, if you can, make your way down there and give the side your encouragement. This is the last 1st XV game before Christmas leading up to the key game at home to Monaghan on Saturday 29th December.