Saturday 16th September 2017
Match Reporter - Tom Northey

Donaghadee welcomed Holywood to Donaldson Park for their 1st league game of the season. Due to late work commitments Donaghadee had adjust their line-up as kick-off approached. This did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the players who started well forcing 2 turnovers at the ruck; however, the Dee men were unable to capitalise on this early dominance.

On 12 minutes after a clever kick from Dee stalwart Andy Monson, Davy Scott raced onto the ball and with 2 hand-offs was able breakthrough the Holywood defence to score. This seemed to wake the Holywood men up and minutes scored from a flowing move in the corner.

The Donaghadee pack started to flex their muscles and this gave the backs some good go forward. After a high tackle on Scott Gardiner, Andy Monson scored the resulting penalty to put the Dee back in front. From the resulting restart continued Dee pressure allowed Kyle Morrow to score at the base of the left hand post, Monson converted. After more pressure from the Dee men Chris McGivern scored a third Donaghadee just before the half-time whistle. Donaghadee 20 – Holywood 5 the half time score.

With the conditions staring to deteriorate you could sense that the first score of the second half would be critical. Holywood upped their game from a poor first half showing. After a period of prolonged pressure in the Dee 22” resulting in at least 6 penalties the referee showed a yellow card to Dee winger Davy Scott. Holywood finally scored a try halfway through the sin-bin period, although they were unable to convert – score 20 -10.

With 20 minutes to go we were set for a close finish. With both teams tiring Holywood tried to finish on the offensive, unfortunately due to a number of handling errors and resolute Dee defence they were unable to make the most of the late possession. The Dee men held on for the win, final score Dee 20 – Holywood 10.

Tries: Davy Scott
Kyle Morrow
Chris McGivern
Pen: Andy Monson
Con: And Monson

1. Ryan Baxter
2. Craig Gibson
3. Mark Poole
4. Matt Martin
5. Kyle Morrow
6. Mark Nicholl (c)
7. Johnny Johnson
8. Steve Cullen
9. Chris McGivern
10. Andy Monson
11. Davy Scott
12. James Small
13. Scott Gardiner
14. James Cheshire
15. Ben Johnstone
16. Jonny Ballagh