Dalriada play first match after the break

AFTER over a month of a break Dalriada 1st XV managed to get a fixture played against a strong Friends team from Lisburn.

After missing out on two fixtures over the holidays, one against Campbell College, the other against Regent and with the school pitches covered in snow and ice up until last Thursday, the boys were desperate for a game as they approached their entry into the third round of the cup on January 23rd

The team made the journey to Lisburn and found the pitch in excellent condition and the weather conditions crisp. The lay-off would inevitably affect the usual sharpness that this team has shown over the season so far. It was Friends who started the stronger and within the first ten minutes got the opening score with a well taken try.

Dalriada to their credit responded positively and with some good phase play forced Friends into a number of errors which Lee Ballentine punished with two well taken penalties.

This put Dalriada into the lead at half time and after the re start it was their forwards that started to dominate the possession.

After a sharp piece of work from a quick tap penalty Lee Ballentine scored Dalriada’s first try. He also kicked the conversion and soon he was attempting another when after some excellent phases play Ben Henderson scored wide out. Lee failed narrowly but it left Dalriada in a strong position leading going into the last quarter.

It was at this point that Dalriada were guilty of taking their ‘eye off the ball’ and let Friends back into the game after some ill discipline at the breakdown.

With the score 18-16 in Dalriada’s favour it looked like another victory was on the way and with a very promising move that would see the score to seal it. a stray pass was intercepted and the Friends player ran clear to score under the posts. With the conversion added for seven points this put Friends into the lead 23-18 and with a few minutes to go they played out the game for victory.

Maybe this is a game that got away but maybe is the sort of game that helps sharpen the mind for the impeding Cup match. The draw was made at lunchtime on Saturday and for a change the gods were with us by giving Dalriada a home tie against Bangor Grammar. We last played Bangor back in the 90’s.

It was they whom we played in the epic semi final and replay in the 92/93 season when Dalriada made it to Ravenhill.

Maybe this is an ‘Omen’ but it is certainly a tie that the side is well capable of wining on the evidence of this season. Confidence is high. The team is focussed and certainly fit having spent the last few weeks in the gym. However we all know Cup rugby is a ‘different animal’ and the form book can get thrown out the window and nerves can get the better of some players on the day, particularly in front of the large anticipated crowd.

Many of the side played in last years Cup game and were very disappointed with the performance on the day. That experience will hold them in good stead and hopefully see Dalriada into the fourth round somewhere they have not been since the epic 92/93 season, 17 years ago.

The game is scheduled to kick off at home this Saturday the 23rd at 11.00 pm and the school would welcome all the support possible.

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