Ballymoney 11 Donaghadee 5
Donaghadee travelled to Kilraughts Road to face Ballymoney for their first piece of league action in four weeks. The heavy rain has been causing havoc throughout the province recently, and indeed only two league fixtures were fulfilled yesterday at Ballymoney and Clogher Valley. Despite the aforementioned rain and uninspiring forecast, Donaghadee were pleasantly surprised to find there playing surface at Ballymoney in relatively decent condition, while the severe gales and heavy rain never appeared in earnest.
Donaghadee started the game with the breeze at their backs and with a ferocious intensity. Paul Blewitt’s cultured, and at times booming, left boot helped the Dee secure all important territory which soon resulted in a kickable penalty. Nigel Barker’s effort cannoned off the upright to let the home side off the hook. The Dee pack were fronting up and competing well with their slightly heavier, more experienced counterparts from Ballymoney, and were edging the game in terms of possession and territory. The set piece was functioning well, with Gareth Gordon making good use of the shortened lineout, and the scrum anchored on both sides by the monumental Good and Barnes. It was Barnes in fact who produced the first scoring act of the game mid way through the half. The athletic prop raced off the line in to charge down the opposition out-half’s clearance kick, and kept his composure well to dot the ball down once it had ricocheted off his rather significant frame. The try was unconverted, Ballymoney 0 – Dee 5. The game ebbed and flowed, with some of Ballymoney’s more effective ball carriers coming in to the game more and more. Towards the end of the half Ballymoney won a penalty which was to leave the score at half-time Ballymoney 3 – Dee 5.
Several substitutions were made at half-time, with two players making their first appearances for the 1st XV. Ryan Campbell replaced Mark Cooper, who left the field with a nasty looking ankle injury, and Matthew Kane came on for Phil Collins in the back row. From the kick off, a thunderous run from Chris Hamilton resulted in the Ballymoney number 8 leaving the field, and it was clear for all to see the Dee were up for the battle of playing in to the elements and protecting their lead. Despite this, a silly indiscretion at breakdown offered up an easily kickable penalty, which the Ballymoney out-half slotted comfortably. Ballymoney 6 – Dee 5.
Good, Adams and youngster Kane were to the fore as the Dee battled manfully to edge their way into the opposition half. The continuity was excellent, however it seemed on occasion that once Dee had gotten into a good attacking position, either the ball was spilled or one of the wily Ballymoney back row managed to sneak in at the breakdown and force a turnover. There were glimpses of promise from the likes of Garnham and Irvine, while man mountain Ali Barnes had several barnstorming runs. But in truth, the Dee never really threatened one of the stingiest defences in the league. They did however force another kickable penalty, but Barker’s effort, into a strong wind, drifted wide.
With legs tiring Ballymoney kicked into the Dee 22, and showed great patience and organisation to rumble their way over out wide. The missed conversion left the score Ballymoney 11 – Dee 5. Influential skipper Ali Lockhart rallied his troops as they prepared for a final assault on the Ballymoney line, but this was to be in vain as the game ended 11 – 5.
On the day it felt like the team deserved more than the losing bonus point, but both coaches Hennessey and McKenzie were extremely pleased with the effort and commitment of the players. Dee welcome table toppers and All Ireland Cup finalists Clogher Valley to Donaldson Park next Saturday, before they turn their attention to the quarter final of the Town’s Cup.
THIS WEEK
The Dee 1st XV return to Donaldson Park this week when they welcome league leaders Clogher Valley to the Newtownards Road ground. Fresh from demolishing CIYMS 41-8 in Q1 last weekend the Valley men have clearly overcome their narrow defeat two weeks ago to Enniscorthy in the final of the All Ireland Cup and will present an enormous challenge for the home side. The game kicks off at 2:30pm and a pre-match lunch is available at the Clubhouse – anyone interested in attending please contact Ian Fleming as soon as possible. The following week the Dee host Omagh in the Quarter Final of the Powerade Towns Cup. The Accies will present a formidable hurdle to progression to the Semi Final as they are currently only one of two sides presenting a challenge to Ballyclare in the race to top Q2. Again there will be a pre-match lunch and Ian is currently taking bookings.
Having had their Forster Cup game against Lisburn postponed on two successive Saturdays due to flooded pitches at Donaldson Park the 2nd XV will be hoping for better luck this weekend – exact details of the venue and kick-off time will appear on both the Club Website and Facebook site once available.
The 3rd XV have no scheduled game this weekend.
