Match Report by Geoff Ingham

It was an early start on Saturday morning as the Dee set off on the long journey to Virginia, Co. Cavan, to play in the first round of the Gordon West Cup. Last year’s league fixture in Virginia was a very close affair so the Dee were under no illusions that they would be in for another tight game. The Dee kicked off and quickly began to pressurise the opposition, forcing them into conceding a couple of early penalties which let out-half Mark Cooper kick for touch each time. This resulted in a line-out inside Virginia’s 22, Morgan McCartney’s throw found Sam Ingham at the front and from the subsequent rolling maul, Kyle Morrow, making a welcome return from injury, peeled away and crashed over for the opening score. Cooper was unlucky as the difficult conversion hit the post. This score spurred Virginia into action and for the next 10 minutes they had all the possession and territory. Dee defended manfully, with the back-row of Chris Hamilton, Stephen Adams and Sam Ingham and centre Matthew Stockton all to the fore with Danny McBride at full-back making some telling clearance kicks. However, Virginia eventually scored close to the posts when their number 7 forced his way over after several phases of play. The try was converted to make the score 7-5 to the home team. The Dee regrouped and played some great rugby, continually making ground through some excellent drives by the likes of forwards Jamie Wilson and Owen Roberts, and some silky running by the backs. This was rewarded after 18 minutes when Karl Yellop finished off a fine move to score under the posts, maintaining his record of scoring in every match he has played in this year. Cooper converted the easiest of conversions to push the score to 12-7 in the Dee’s favour. With only 5 points between the teams the Donaghadee travelling support knew that the next score would be crucial and thankfully that score was not long coming. Sam Ingham picked up from the base of a scrum close to Virginia’s line but was stopped just short. The ball was flung wide from the ruck and when the ball reached Robbie Ingham on the wing Virginia’s cover was on him, however, he showed remarkable strength to force his way over to score. Dee were reduced to 14 men when Kyle Morrow was penalised for a high tackle after a succession of other penalties but the referee soon evened this up when Virginia’s flanker saw yellow 2 minutes later for consistent infringements in the red zone. Dee increased their lead just before half time when a classic number eight/number nine move released winger Ben Siri who touched down in the corner. Cooper converted the tricky kick to leave the half-time score 24-7 to the Dee.

Almost immediately from the restart Dee went further ahead when, after a crunching tackle by Stockton, Hamilton intercepted a pass and floated a ball to Siri who showed his pace by sprinting clear to score in the corner. Cooper, who had obviously brought his kicking boots with him, kicked another conversion from the touchline. The Dee were forced into a reshuffle in the backs after 50 minutes when the impressive Paul Johnston had to leave the field after picking up an injury. Robbie Ingham showed his versatility by slotting seamlessly into scrum-half and Chris Scott came on as replacement. Dee managed to keep up the momentum and after several forays into the 22 it was Scott who cantered over for try number six. Cooper, of course, was successful with the conversion to bring the score to 38-7. As the game entered the final quarter the rain began to fall, however, the moist conditions did not worry the Dee as Cooper pinned Virginia back into their own 22 with some astute kicking from hand. A wayward throw at a Virginia lineout saw Kyle Morrow gather the ball and dive over the line for his second try of the match. Cooper, who by this stage couldn’t miss, nonchalantly slotted home the conversion.

To Virginia’s credit they continued to fight to the final whistle and were rewarded with a try after 75 minutes when their prop crashed over after several good drives by the forwards to leave the final score 45-12 to the Dee. This was another good team effort and there were many contenders for man-of-the-match. Phil Collins had an excellent game after coming on as a replacement after just 3 minutes and very nearly scoring a try of his own, the back-row were excellent and Yellop and Stockton very solid in the centre. This week, however, the award goes to Ben Siri, who showed great pace throughout the game and was duly rewarded with his brace of tries. Thanks go to Virginia for their excellent hospitality both before and after the game. It’s back to the league next week and Dee have another long journey to play Cavan RFC.