Donaghadee’s First XV are notorious for slow starting in almost every season – but not this year. After their ten-week unbeaten run in league and cup this season they went last Saturday to Ballymoney for what looked like their biggest test so far. Full of confidence from the series of good victories, the visitors threw everything at their Section One opposition for the first fifteen minutes, but the home side’s determined defence held firm on their goal-line.
With Donaghadee camped on their opponents’ line a try looked inevitable, but a sudden turn-over ball for Ballymoney saw two of their players burst clear and run the length of the field for the easiest of tries. Lifted by this reversal, Ballymoney showed their skills, and Donaghadee’s game turned from determined attack to all-out defence.
Ballymoney took little time to take advantage of the sudden reverse and moments later they produced a well co-ordinated team try with conversion that put them 12-0 ahead. The greatly increased tackle count for Donaghadee resulted in them losing their full-back Billy Allen and centre Chris Beattie in this second quarter. In Qualifying League Section Two this would have resulted in a one-sided try-fest for their opposition, but with the Cup rules allowing two substitutes, last year’s captain Andy Monson and player coach Ian Martindale returned to active service after injury to keep the contest alive. Fifteen against fifteen did not halt the Ballymoney onslaught, but it did keep the game tight.
Possession of the football may have been well enough contested, but the home side were still looking the better side. It was not long before they scored a text-book try through quick work by their forwards and some excellent three-quarter line running. This was worrying enough for the Dee men, but when they forced the ball over the Dee line yet again as the break approached a truly daunting 24-0 fight-back looked impossible.
What the more discerning spectators, and of course the Dee players and coach, had observed all through the first half was that, while the two backlines were well-enough matched, it was Donaghadee’s hard and efficient pack that looked the more dangerous. With only minutes left in the half, sustained pressure from Donaghadee forced a penalty close in. The almost-certainty of three token points from an easy kick was quickly rejected and the Dee pack went for the full boat of seven with a power play. The honours went to Chris Schofield, but he would be the first to say that the seven points were reward for the work of every forward.
The team-talk at the break must have included some well-chosen words because, is spite of the 24-7 scoreline, it was Donaghadee who looked the better side right from the re-start. Strangely it was not spectacular or clever attacking that impressed spectators for the third quarter; it was the accuracy and determination of the tackling that took the eye. Both sides clearly knew that a second score for Donaghadee would transform the contest.
They were right. A scrum to Donaghadee fairly close in put every player on both sides on their toes. All knew this was a crucial moment. Instead of the expected heel to scrum-half Alistair Lockhart on the blind side, Donaghadee channelled the ball to open-side flanker Chris Hamilton. Regular supporters well know how quick this young man is, but perhaps Ballymoney did not. In a second he was over for a try. Monson took no time in showing that his long injury had not reduced his kicking skills and Donaghadee doubled their score to 14.
At 24-14, and with Donaghadee needing two scores, all those present began to wonder if there was long enough for them to turn the game. The last ten minutes was truly cup-tie football at its most tense.
The warriors on the field did not take time to wonder very much. Donaghadee knew they had their opponents on the back foot, and they continued to press. But, with a margin of ten points and only a few minutes left, it was no surprise that Ballymoney were prepared to give away penalties – any team would be. Kicking three points was not an option for Donaghadee, so from these and from rucks and mauls close in they tried and tried to find a breach in the Ballymoney line. First five-eighth Bobby Harpur almost conjured a try out wide, and then closer in, Kyle Morrow attempted an aerial approach and Lockhart chose the subterranean route, but the Ballymoney defence was determined enough to deny all of these efforts.
In desperation Donaghadee next chose to go wide. Some good handling and hard running produced the goods they had been seeking and Andrew Findlater got over out at the corner flag. The score was now 24-19, the conversion attempt to make it 24-21 was from somewhere near Slemish and the clock was ticking away. Is there a more exciting way for a cup-tie to end?
When the flags going up for a successful Monson kick were instantly followed by the referee’s confirmation and his loud and final whistle many Dee men might have disagreed. They knew they had won the second half, but this means nothing. Put simply, Ballymoney scored three more points than did Donaghadee. So, somewhat grateful joy for the home side and some disappointment for the visitors, but most would agree that the result was a fair one.
Donaghadee must now turn their thoughts to continuing their excellent League performances. Grosvenor FP are the visitors to Donaldson Park next Saturday and they will undoubtedly be keen to show that their recent promotion to Section Two is part of their plan to rise to their former glory days. Without doubt Donaghadee will be determined to thwart them.
Donaghadee team at Ballymoney: Billy Allen, Chris McGivern, Chris Beattie, Andrew Findlater, Rory Garnham; Bobby Harpur, Alistair Lockhart, Chris Schofield, Gareth Gordon, Chris Good (c), Kyle Morrow, Phil Collins, Stuart Hutchinson, Chris Hamilton and Paul Hamilton. Subs: Andy Monson and Ian Martindale.
This Saturday
As said above, Donaghadee 1st XV hosts GHSFP and the Seconds travel to Limavady. Both games kick off at 2.30pm.
For Your Diary
The following week (30 Oct) the Firsts have a rest day, the Seconds are at home to Instonians and the Thirds have a game at Larne.
