With the 1st XV having a rest week Donaghadee 2nd XV took centre stage at Donaldson Park with a Provincial League 6 fixture against Dungannon 4th XV. Thus far it has been a troubled season for the the 2nd XV with 1st XV call-ups, travelling difficulties and persistent unavailabilities all impacting on the side’s ability to succeed on the pitch. A large support was on the sideline however and the team management had been able to select a side which they hoped would challenge fourth placed Dungannon and garner a second league win of the season for the Dee men.

Initial portents were not encouraging however as the much bigger and more experienced Dungannon pack exerted early dominance playing towards the town. With fifteen minutes played a succession of drives took the opposition to the Dee line and they crashed over for a converted try. Ten minutes later, despite strong defence, the Tyrone men repeated the dose and, with twenty six minutes played Donaghadee were 12-0 down, the second try being unconverted. At this point the Dee were stung into action after fly-half Gareth Doherty had kicked well out of hand to gain the home side much-needed territory. The elusiveness to Dee No. 9 Matthew Mingout was beginning to cause Dungannon a few problems from a break the ball passed through Dee hands to allow lock Matthew Martin to touch down in the far left hand corner. Although the try was unconverted the Dee immediately returned to the attack and continued to put the opposition under significant pressure until two minutes before the break when Mingout went over himself for another five pointer.

Half-time arrived with the visitors having a narrow 12-10 lead and the touchline support looked forward to the second period of what had become and entertaining game of rugby. With fifty minutes played the Dee took the lead when No. 8 Gareth Martin went over for the third unconverted try of the afternoon giving the home side a three point lead. Two minutes later, effectively from the restart, Ben Siri collected the ball inside his own twenty-two and after eluding first-up tacklers set off on an arcing run which took him past despairing defenders eventually straightening up to allow his strength and pace to overcome all would be tacklers and touch down for the fourth, and bonus point, try. With the Dee tails now up Doherty now took the opportunity to kick to the Dungannon corners from a succession of penalties. From the last of these line-out ball was secured and with the evergreen Ossie Gordon locking on to the ball the pack mauled over the tryline to score. The efforts of the young Dee side now began to take a toll and Dungannon came pack into the game with their dangerous No.9 and 10 orchestrating proceedings. The pressure finally told and Dungannon scored their third try before and exciting ending with the visitors pressing the Dee line. Stout defence was the order of the day however and eventually the whistle was blown with Donaghadee running out deserved victors by a score of 25-17.

Some very encouraging performances from the Dee youngsters on show – especially Rhys Brown, Johnny Gamble and Jack Chesney ably supported by the more experienced men such as the two Martins, Gary Coffey, Chris Knox and Siri. The Man of the Match award however goes to Mingout with a bustling performance at scrum-half borne out of skill, pace, strength and a maturity beyond his years.

The 2nd XV now take a break resuming on 2nd February with a home league fixture against Randalstown III. Next Saturday the 1st XV resume their league campaign with a visit to Newforge where take on PSNI before welcoming Holywood to Donaldson Park on Saturday 19th January. There will be a Pre-Match Lunch at the Holywood game and members are encouraged to contact President John Blewitt as soon as possible if they would like to attend.