PSNI 2nd XV 5 Donaghadee 3rd 21
It is often said that it is the forwards who decide who wins a rugby match, and it is the backs who decide by how much. This was one of those days. In a tightly fought encounter it was the Dee pack who put their bodies on the line to grind out a convincing win from a 6-5 score line on the 50 minute mark. An early PSNI score following some strong running and good offloads left the boys in blue 5 nil ahead and the Dee were left with an uphill battle yet again. Forward domination, however, led to territorial advantage and some strong runs from Poole, Ballagh and Bennett forced gaps round the fringes that were well exploited by the ever improving ‘little general’ in the Dee side – Robbie Ingham. A couple of Andy Monson penalties left the score at 6-5 at half time.
In the second half a few of the Dee’s “old timers” came to the fore with Noel Angus injecting dominance in the scrums and Brian McCracken taking every ball on offer in the lineouts. This increased possession let the Dee backline make some serious yards with Gareth Martin tying up the opposing defence by carrying in tight lines and thereby opening up space for the pacey heavyweights James Cheshire and Andy Jarvis on the outside. It was a Jarvis break and some great support play by Jamie Wilson that led to the away side’s first try, bringing the score to 11-5. Shortly after this another great link between forwards and backs saw the Dee cross the line untouched to go 16-5 up. At this point PSNI fought back and enjoyed a period of territorial advantage but the Dee’s defence held strong with back rowers Phil Weston, Mark Nicholl late call up Cragg putting in some telling hits and turnovers. In what turned out to be the last play of the game, some backline wizardry released prop come winger Robin McMurray who dashed and dazzled defenders over 60 metres and offloaded generously to the supporting Cheshire to dive over for the final score of the game.
THIS WEEK
As this Saturday is the Junior Cup Quarter Finals the 1st XV have a free week once again whilst the 2nd XV make the long trip to play Cavan 1st XV and the 3rd XV welcome Portadown 4th XV to Donaldson Park. Both games kick off at 2:30pm.
