Match report by Geoff Ingham

Donaghadee welcomed Banbridge 2s to Donaldson Park on Saturday for a rearranged Conference League game. Yet again, the team sheet showed a significant number of changes due to injury and unavailability with players such as Paul Johnston, Mark Cooper, Matthew Mingout, Karl Yellop, Johnny Bell, Chris Hamilton, Jack Chesney, Ray Dobson and Chris Scott all not available. On the plus side Adam Alexander was playing his first game of the season after recovering from a nasty injury he suffered in pre-season. Although the pitch was slightly moist underfoot it had recovered well from the previous week’s rain and the Dee kicked off in bright autumnal sunshine in front of a small band of loyal supporters. The Dee started well and immediately progressed into the opposition’s 22 and when Banbridge were penalised for being offside, out-half Danny McBride slotted over the kick to give the home side a 3-0 lead. This score seemed to spur on Banbridge and their strong forward pack began to dominate possession and territory. They were awarded a series of penalties due to their superiority at scrum time and eventually scored a pushover try in the corner which went unconverted. Almost immediately Banbridge increased their lead when a missed tackle allowed their winger to make good ground before the ball was recycled to their outhalf who showed good vision by kicking to the opposite corner where the winger gathered and dived over in the corner. This time the conversion attempt was successful to make the score 10 -3 to Banbridge. The visitors kept the pressure on the Dee who soon found themselves back inside their 22. After Dee were penalised at a rolling maul Banbridge opted for a scrum and, just as everyone was expecting another pushover, the scrumhalf went blind and sent his winger in for his second score. The difficult kick was converted to take the score to 17-3. Donaghadee managed to hold out for the remainder of the half and at times looked dangerous when they had the ball. Some good strong runs by Matthew Stockton and Adam Alexander kept the opposition on their toes and Ewan McCracken and Stephen Adams (pictured) were prominent in the pack but unfortunately the Dee were unable to have any effect on the scoreboard as the first half came to a close.

Coach Blewitt made two changes for the second half with Kyle Morrow replacing the injured Jonny Gamble and Aaron Baillie on for the ageless Davy Scott. Dee knew they had to start off strong and they certainly did not disappoint! Sam Ingham caught the kick off and made good ground before offloading to McCracken. The strong teenager barged his way past several defenders and then set up the ruck. Scrumhalf Robbie Ingham found Stockton on the left wing who outpaced everyone and touched down under the posts. McBride scored the simple conversion to close the gap to 17-10. Five minutes later the scores were level when flanker Ali Barnes made a couple of barnstorming runs to bring play deep into the Banbridge 22. Dee were awarded a penalty which they took quickly and the ball went through several pairs of hands before Jamie Wilson found Morrow in support who crashed over for the try. Banbridge absorbed further pressure from the Dee for the next 10 minutes and managed to keep the home side taking the lead and in fact it was Banbridge who scored next with what was probably the best try of the day when the winger scored after impressive interplay by almost all of the Banbridge backline. The conversion was successful, taking the score to 24-17 to the visitors. As the festive season is upon us it might be appropriate to describe the last half hour of this game as a pantomime where the Dee team presented Banbridge with several early Christmas presents! Despite having most of the possession and attempting to run the ball from all areas of the pitch any handling errors and mistakes were severely punished by Banbridge. This included two interceptions, one in their own 22 and the other from inside Banbridge’s 22, which resulted in two easy run ins for scores. A further score followed when the Dee lost possession and their fullback pounced on the loose ball and ran in from his own half. The Dee then scored their third try when McBride scored a fine solo try from his own half, showing great pace by beating several defenders to the line. In the last few minutes the Dee pushed for their fourth try which would have given them a bonus point but unfortunately the ball went to ground and the Banbridge outhalf picked it up and ran the length of the pitch to score to complete a frustrating day for the Dee.

Several players put their hands up for the Man-of-the match award. In the backs Stockton and Baillie both played well and Alexander had a successful first outing of the season. In the forwards McCracken and Adams both had impressive games but this week the award goes to Ali Barnes who was excellent in both attack and defence.

Next Saturday the Dee travel to Malone to take on Malone 2s in a Conference League match.