After a long, long 6 ½ month wait competitive rugby finally returned to Donaldson Park on Saturday when the 1st XV welcomed Academy 1st XV for Round One of Kukri Championship Two. Sterling work carried out by Club members and, in particular, Covid 19 Safety Officer Brian Huston and his myriad of helpers meant that the Clubhouse and grounds were in pristine condition and, most importantly, players and spectators alike could enjoy the game knowing that all protocols surrounding the current circumstances had been met. The Club owes a great debt of gratitude to Brian, his deputies Pauline Moore and Mark Nicholl together with their enthusiastic and capable team of assistants.

On field, the Dee had an unexpected late cry-off in the form of scrum-half Adam Lowry with Robbie Ingham moving from full-back to cover, Chris McGivern shifting to 15 and Dicky Bailey coming on to the wing. William Stafford and Callum Montgomery made their competitive debuts for the Club on the wing and in the second row respectively and Conor Fulton made a welcome return at hooker. Donaghadee started brightly and Ally Barnes won a penalty with only two minutes played. Unfortunately Mark Cooper skewed his kick to goal much to the relief of the visiting side. Four minutes later Jack Chesney was penalised for collapsing a scrum and the Academy full-back made no mistake with ensuing penalty giving his side a 3-0 lead. On the ten minute mark the Dee won a penalty just inside their own half and Cooper kicked to touch. Donaghadee won the lineout and rolled a maul towards the opposition line allowing Fulton to crash over for an unconverted try. For the next twenty minute period Donaghadee had much of the possession and played an attractive and expansive brand of rugby. However, the strength of the Academy scrum and a tendency to spill ball whilst in possession meant that the Dee could not add to their points tally. In addition Donaghadee lost the impressive Fulton to a leg injury with Jonny Gamble coming off the bench to deputise. After thirty five minutes play Academy were awarded a penalty for not releasing allowing them to move to a 6-5 lead. Sadly, in the sixth minute of first half injury time, the referee adjudged a Dee player to have made a high tackle and Academy repeated the dose taking them to a 9-5 half-time advantage.

Academy pressed strongly from kick-off but some belligerent defence kept them at bay. With seven minutes of the second half played centre Adam Alexander broke through the Academy defence just outside his own twenty-two and made a surging run into the opposition half before feeding Stafford who was brought down ten metres out. Skipper Matthew Stockton was on hand to recycle the ball and it passed through a number of hands before No. 8 Sam Ingham burst through the flagging visiting defence to score Donaghadee’s second unconverted try of the afternoon to give them a 10-9 lead after Cooper’s conversion attempt hit the post. Regretfully eight minutes later Chesney was given a “team” yellow card after sustained Academy pressure. The Dee survived the ensuing Academy pressure with Barnes, in particular, to the fore after having moved to loose-head to cover for the departed Chesney. With sixty one minutes played the Dee failed to clear adequately from a break-out on their own line allowing Academy to bring their power game into play eventually driving over to re-take the lead. This time the Academy conversion hit the post but Academy protected their narrow lead extremely well for the next twenty minutes using the old adage “attack is the best form of defence” to great effect keeping the Dee defence under significant pressure. With four minutes of injury time played Academy were somewhat surprisingly awarded a penalty for collapsing the scrum after a succession of re-sets and their full-back made no mistake with the relatively simple kick to goal. The referee blew for no side leaving the visitors winners by a 17-10 margin.

Ian Adamson's photos from the game may be found at http://www.facebook.com/groups/DonaghadeeRugby

Donaghadee may feel a losing bonus point was scant reward for their efforts but, truth be told, Academy enjoyed much more possession throughout the game and the home side will regret their carelessness with the ball in possession and a failure to clear rucks at key moments throughout the game – doubtless a little more game time however will set both of these issues to rights. For their part Academy were a much improved side as compared to last season and they may well be competing for league honours come season’s end. There were impressive debuts from Stafford and Montgomery and Ewan McCracken made his presence felt all afternoon but Man of the Match goes to Ally Barnes for his imposing work in turning over the ball and his efforts in the front row.

Next week the 1st XV travel to Lisburn and will be hoping to profit from the promise much their play throughout this game displayed. The 2nd XV also played their first league game and came away from Stormont extremely happy with a 62-10 victory over Civil Service 2nd XV. They now have a week off next Saturday before travelling to meet Grosvenor 3rd XV on 10th October.