Match report by Geoff Ingham

Donaghadee travelled to Pollock Park on Saturday to play a Lurgan team currently sitting second in the league. Yet again the team sheet showed several changes due to injury and unavailability with Jamie Wilson coming into the middle of front row, the evergreen Andy Monson at scrum half and Kyle Morrow making a welcome return to take a place on the bench. These three changes bring the total number of players used in the seven matches so far this year to a staggering thirty-eight, proving just how difficult it has been to field a settled side. Although slightly moist underfoot the pitch was in great order and the game was played in dry and calm conditions. Donaghadee made a good start and immediately encamped themselves in the opposition’s half with some strong drives from the likes of Jamie Wilson and Ewan McCracken. Whenever Lurgan had possession the Dee defensive line nullified any threats with strong tackling by both forwards and back, marshalled as usual by inspirational captain Matthew Stockton. After 14 minutes Dee were awarded a penalty and Danny McBride decided to kick for goal. The ball struck the right-hand post and came back into the 22 where Chris McGivern gathered and fed Stephen Adams who almost made it to the line but Lurgan managed to win a turnover and clear the danger. Five minutes later good interplay by Robbie Ingham and Chris Hamilton allowed McGivern to kick deep into the Lurgan 22. At the next ruck Lurgan were penalised and this time McBride made no mistake with the kick to put the Dee into a well-deserved lead. For the next 15 minutes the game remained tight with both teams unable to break down each other’s defences. The Dee were able to hold their own in the scrums with the front row of Ray Dobson, Jamie Wilson and Jack Chesney providing a solid platform. Unfortunately, the line outs did not function just as well which meant the Dee were not able to take full advantage of some of their opportunities. With five minutes remaining of the half Lurgan made a rare excursion into the Dee 22 and managed to score a try when their winger went over in the corner. The conversion was missed to make the score 5-3 to Lurgan. Almost immediately a strong run by Dobson and then another by Sam Ingham took the Dee into the Lurgan half and they were rewarded with a penalty close to the touchline at the ten-metre mark. Danny McBride managed to slot over the difficult kick to put the Dee back into a 6-5 lead at half time.

The second half followed a very similar pattern to the first with the majority of the game being played in the middle of the park and both teams finding the defences hard to break down. Some of the highlights included Dee winger Johnny Bell showing quick feet by beating his opposite number and making good ground down the right and some strong driving runs by Dobson and Chesney. In defence the team looked well organised and strong tackling by the back row of Hamilton, Chris Scott and Sam Ingham and centres Stockton and McGivern kept Lurgan at bay. Dee had several forays into the Lurgan 22 but, unfortunately, were not able to turn any of this pressure into points. With ten minutes left on the clock Lurgan won a penalty just inside the Dee half and their experienced full- back was successful with his kick for goal to put Lurgan 8-6 ahead. The Dee continued to press in the final ten minutes but Lurgan managed to keep them out and were very relieved to kick the ball into touch to bring the game to an end. The Man-of-the-Match this week does not go to any individual player but to the whole team for their huge effort throughout the match.

This was a much- improved performance from Donaghadee and although they picked up a losing bonus point the boys were disappointed not to come away with the win. It should, however, give them the belief that they can compete with any team in the league and if they all put in the hard work at training they will continue to improve. The next league match is on Saturday 16th November when we welcome our near-neighbours Ards to Donaldson Park for a 2.30 K.O.