Dalriada first XV bounce back in style

AFTER enduring a rather lean period Dalriada 1st XV found success with two good wins over tough opposition.

On Saturday in the wet they defeated Cambridge House 13-8 having to come from behind in the last quarter to seal a win with two well struck penalties by John Laughlin after Rhys McAuley had got the opening score with a well taken try.

On the previous Wednesday they took on a big Belfast High side and with a marvellous exhibition of running rugby.

The six tries were all scored by the backs John Laughlin, Ben Henderson, Rhys McAuley, Ewan Strang each getting one and Jonny McMullan with a brace, leaving the result to Dalriada.

This was a welcome departure from the tight hard encounters earlier in the month but equally they were valuable in the development of the side. Stern tests lie ahead this week with the trip to Gloucester to compete in the Four Nations schools’ tournament.

As Ulster’s sole representatives they will compete against some of the big names in School’s rugby from England, Wales and indeed some of the other Irish provinces. The squad of 20 departs early on Wednesday morning and returns on Sunday.

Also on Saturday Dalriada 2nd XV claimed their second win of the week with a comfortable 31-7 victory over Cambridge House, after beating Belfast High midweek.

The first score of the match came from Centre Richard McMaster who looped around the retreating defence to score under the posts. Shortly after Dunlop claimed a try when he kicked through loose ball from inside the Dalriada half, and showed good pace to claim the ball and dive over the line. Dalriada’s 3rd try came from Hooker Andy Marks, returning from injury.

Number 8 David Holmes made the initial break showing his strength and good footwork to beat several men, to give sweet offload to supporting Marks, who still had work to do to cross the try line.

The second half saw Dalriada extend their lead as Matthew Dunlop claimed a second try, dummying the pass to slide through the drifting defence, to step inside the final defender.

Cambridge House stepped up their game at this point, putting Dalriada under a period of pressure. Eventually this pressure paid off as a defensive error saw Cambridge House’s big 12 cross the line. The Home side claimed a final try, through quick hands for Richard McMaster to finish for his 2nd try.

The score was left at 31-7, with two conversions coming from Jamie Gardiner and one from Dunlop.

Man of the Match went to Andy Marks, who kept alert to claim a lot of loose ball and made good ground in attack.

Midweek Dalriada 2XV got back to winning ways with a 29-10 victory against Belfast High.

The Wednesday afternoon weather was perfect for rugby quick running.

Dalriada where first on the score board, after good forward pressure, Matthew Dunlop offloading to scrum half Timothy Creaney, who finished in the corner.

Jamie Gardiner slotted the difficult conversion.

Belfast High responded then later in the half as the visiting pack did well to force their way over the line. Gardiner and the Belfast Out half exchanged penalty kicks before half time, leaving the half time score all square at 10-10.

The away side began the second half well, working their way right up to the Dalriada try line.

However Dalriada’s defence held strong under pressure. Flanker Angus Jinks did exceptionally well to rob the attack of the ball in the tackle, for Out half Nathaniel Steele to kick up field, out of pressure.

After this Dalriada really took control of the match as forwards Timmy Marks and returning David Holmes made good yardage. The second Dalriada try came from Matthew Dunlop, running a good line through the defence off a pin point pass from fellow Centre Stuart Fallows.

Replacement scrum half John Allen did well to move the quickly from the breakdowns and get the pack going forward. The quick ball allowed the ball to be spread through the hands for full back Jamie Gardiner to score under the posts.

The final try of the match was scored on the final whistle as wing Jack Magee used his unbelievable pace to beat several men and score the try. Gardiner converted two of the three second half try.

Man of the match went to Timmy Marks, who played well in all aspects of his game, stealing line out ball, running well with ball in hand and making a lot of valuable tackles.

The medallion recorded a good win away from home with a 21-0 win over Cambridge House, scores coming from Ryan Malcolmson, David McKeeman, Peter Dunlop and three conversions from Timmy Emerson.

On Friday the school hosted a touring team from England.

The Under 14s took on King Edward School Stratford and in a very tight fought game just missed out by one score.

A poor start allowed the visitors to put early pressure on the Dalriada line which led to two scores being quickly run in to allow King Edward to go in front. once the Dalriada team stated to believe in themselves they put pressure on the KES XV and eventually Malcolmson scored from close range.

A game which swung both ways went into the last few minutes with Dalriada behind 14-18 thanks to an individual score from Finnerty, strong pressure from the forwards allowed Malcolmson in for his second try which was well converted by Sparks to give a 21 -18 lead with seconds remaining, slack play from the Dalriada pack at the base of the scrum allowed the KES scrum half to sneak round and touchdown under the posts to leave it Dalriada 21 KES 25 a great game which was enjoyed by both the hosts and the travelling King Edward School as well as the rain drenched supporters.