Donegal blown away by sensational Uni 2’s
Uni were simply superb as Donegal were the visitors and had no answers for the hosts’ intensity that lasted from the first minute to the last proved to be too much for Donegal in a game that was called up short.
The weather conditions were not perfect for playing, as it rained the entire time making the ball very slippery indeed, however this did not dampen the Uni passion nor their skill level as they took an early mistake by Donegal and the ever improving Tommy ‘The Guns’ McLaughlin collected the ball on full stride and broke through the Donegal defensive line for the first score of the game, conversion missed 5-0, 6mins gone.
The solid front row of Linsey McLaughlin, Scott Stevenson and Darryl McCorriston ensured solid scrums all day long, and from a scrum on the halfway line, quick ball along the back line saw Tony Colgan score in the corner after 14mins score 10-0 conversion missed.
At this point Donegal seemed perplexed by the sheer intensity and skill level of the Uni 2’s side as only minutes had passed and after a turnover created by the phenomenal John ‘JD’ Dillon allowed quick hands out the back line and then a great dummy pass by Ryan Gilmore saw him go over under the posts, conversion kicked by Richard Murphy 17-0. A mistake by Donegal from the kick of saw the teams return to the halfway line for a scrum, quick pick up from Number 8, Stuart Whitcroft saw him interlinking with Jamie Ball and John Dillon and with great support lines by the 8 seen him over the white wash, conversion kicked 24-0 half time score.
Donegal kicked off the second after deep into the Uni 22 and the ball was fielded by wing forward JD and quick ruck ball allowed the Uni Full Back Romain Berge to pick a lovely line between the centres to run 60 meters and score under the posts, conversion kicked, 31-0. Again the Uni 2’s received a deep kick off, and great forward mauling saw JD run off the back of it and with a kick ahead, the Donegal backs had to scramble back, and the quick reactions of JD and Whitcroft allowing the Donegal fullback to play the ball before trying to turn him over gave the Uni a penalty under the posts for holding on, quick tap left saw centre Murphy crash over for a score, conversion scored 38-0. 5mins later new comer to the club Daniel Noble only on the pitch receiving a sneaky ball on the blind side wing and with a great side step seen him under the posts as he out sprinted the recovering defence of Donegal to dot the ball under the posts. Conversion Missed 43-0.
The pressure was relentless by the uni and a line out from a penalty gave the Uni back line another chance to run hard and true at Donegal as centre Gilmore crashed through on the miss pass, and off loaded beautifully to Whitcroft who supported fantastically all game, went over for his second try of the game conversion kicked
50-0.
55mins into the game and from an attacking scrum just outside the Donegal 22, Tommy McLaughlin took it upon himself to crash the ball up; but slack tackling by Donegal allowed Tommy to power his way over the line. Conversion missed. 55-0
The final play of the game saw a receiving kick collected and driven by prop McLaughlin, and fantastic rucking by Vice Captain Andrew Munce gave quick ball to the backline, with Daniel Morgan crashing up the centre, while passing the ball to Murphy who took his chance with a 2v1 to release Scott Stevenson the hooker down the wing and to go over near the posts, he converted his own try by a drop goal. The game was called up short with the final score 62-0.
The man of the match award has been the toughest yet, so tough in fact it has been awarded to both Stuart Whitcroft and John Dillon.
UUC 2’s next encounter will be 2nd placed Strabane 2’s who will bring a tougher game to the Sam Logan Stadium at cromore road, so it will be vital for 1 to 22 to make it out to training for this upcoming collision, it will let the lads know if they have a chance of winning the league this season, however it is the belief of the coaching staff that this squad of players has what it takes to go all the way!
