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25/11/2006 - Donaghadee 1XV 14 - Dromore 13

DONAGHADEE BACK ON WINNING TRAIL AGAIN

Barban Hill, Dromore has been a bit of a fortress in Junior rugby football for some years. The Donaghadee First Fifteen players must have had mixed feelings going there last Saturday. Some would possibly have been carrying unhappy memories of defeats at Barban Hill, and they knew that Dromore were now strengthened by the presence of Ulster’s fairly recent scrum-half hero, Neil Doak, in their ranks. As a counter-balance they were buoyed up by the memory of their own fine display and victory in their home fixture against Dromore in Qualifying League 1 on September 2.

The game began with the two teams carrying out the customary testing of each other’s defence for some minutes. However it was Donaghadee who drew first blood. Their outside-half, Paul Blewitt, bravely charged down a relieving kick by the Dromore full-back, and then had the quick presence of mind to turn and collect the ball and take it over for a stirring score. The mathematically-minded were even more pleased when Blewitt struck a fine conversion kick to take Donaghadee into a 7-0 lead.

Dromore were chastened somewhat by this early blow, but stuck to their plan, and gained some good ground with fine work by many of their players. Right up to the break Donaghadee remained determined that their line would not be breached, but this often causes some over-eagerness, and the referee correctly gave Dromore two penalties that were gratefully taken to turn the two sides around with only a point separating the two teams.

The second half saw Dromore making more than one foray into Donaghadee territory that might easily have produced the try they sought. Sterling work by an improving Donaghadee defence with and Andy Weir showing well kept most of these attacks short of an actual score. But of course things in sports can turn in an instant. Michael Moore failed to claim a stray ball after being tripped by a stray leg, and Dromore’s scrum-half Doak was on to the ball in a flash and was able to score the try Dromore had been chasing so hard. Their successful kick helped too, and Donaghadee were suddenly facing a 13-7 deficit.

As they now contemplated Dromore’s six-point advantage, Donaghadee’s supporters knew this was not going to be a second half where their own backs were going to get too many chances to shine. However these lads were fronting up all afternoon with good organised defence and some amazing tackling from Gordy McBride, Stephen Seymour and Billy Allen, the latter setting an inspiring captain’s example with a high work-rate that belied his recent injury. There were also a few thrilling moments of some excellent running, especially from winger Jonnie Webster. When allowed to, the backline combined to produce some penetrating, but often unsuccessful, runs. But such unsuccessful runs are part and parcel of the game. A well-known saying, from a totally different context, is “Your security has to be vigilant all day – our attacks only have to be successful once.”

Around this time they had lost their scrum-half Johnnie Phillips who had suffered a painful ankle injury when it was stood on. Peter Bennett took Phillips’s place, and was soon showing that if the starting scrum-half could play a bit, then so could his replacement.

The Donaghadee forwards were rampant for most of the game, with Ian Welch a tower of sheer strength that must have made his opposite number wish for the whistle to end the game. Richard Martindale was in commanding form, both in the line-out and in general play. These were not the only stalwarts, though. Andy Weir was having a busy afternoon putting in a prodigious number of tackles. If his tackle count was high, it was the tackle weight of Heywood Fraser that impressed the Dromore players. One was reminded of another old saying - a good tackle stops an opposition attack, but a huge tackle stops a whole series of attacks (a code Neil Best is now living by). Woody’s early pedigree as a flanker, added to the strength he brings to the front row makes him a serious weapon in the Donaghadee armoury. Perhaps inspired by what was being done just in front of him. Norman Bell and Dee Heron were producing some excellent work that impressed quite a number of Donaghadee’s supporters, and must have given them the confident certainty that thy are both becoming very useful cogs in the Donaghadee machine.

If they are reading this, both of the Dee locks, Andrew Dunn and Cois Beukes, will be wondering if they will be getting a mention – well they are. The relentless driving of Dunn and the general all-round nous of Beukes was helping build up a momentum for the visiting side that could not be denied for long.

It took a while, but Donaghadee success finally came. From a scrum inside their own half that showed no special promise, the Donaghadee half-backs produced a well rehearsed move that sprang open a gap for full-back Allen to drill through. As this opened up the first-up line Allen spotted a glimmer of light in the cover defence. His pace took him on a direct gallop at the opposition mid-field. Going all the way was probably asking too much, but the spectacular run did take the ball close to the Dromore line, with the Dee forwards thundering in support. The final tackle produced a ruck where Donaghadee were superior in numbers and more determined in purpose than their opponents.

Good quality ball was produced quickly to release Andy Drummond, who needed no help in crossing for an excellent score. Blewitt’s unerring kick was just sufficient to move Donaghadee’s account one precious point into the black.

Holding out for the remaining minutes was not easy because Dromore wanted a win just as much as Donaghadee. But to finish with another hackneyed quote – maybe Donaghadee wanted it more.

The Donaghadee players last Saturday were:
Billy Allen (c), Jonny Webster, Steven Seymour, Gordy McBride, Michael Moore, Paul Blewitt, Johnnie Phillips, Ian Welch, Dee Herron, Haywood Fraser, Andrew Dunn, Cois Beukes, Norman Bell, Richard Martindale and Andy Weir; subs: Peter Bennett and Andrew Drummond.