Donaghadee travelled to Rifle Park on Saturday to play a friendly against Banbridge 3s.
Head coach Paul Blewitt had selected a full squad of 22 for this game to allow him to test several combinations throughout the game and also to see as many players as possible performing in a match situation prior to the start of the league programme next week. The team sheet included seven players who were making their debut for the Dee 1st XV, William Stafford and Will Richards in the starting backline and Calum Montgomery, Matt Quinn, Warren Polly, Sergio Oliva and Stephen Ferguson all taking up a seat on the bench. It was also good to see Rhys Thompson returning after a few seasons away and Andy McCracken returning from his year in England. A small band of Dee supporters had made the journey to Banbridge and spread out along the touchline, to comply with the social distancing guidelines, to watch the Dee play for the first time since late February.

The match kicked off under glorious autumnal sunshine with a fresh breeze blowing across the pitch. Dee enjoyed some early possession and tested the Banbridge defence on several occasions. Unfortunately, the Dee were penalised a number of times for infringements at the rucks and this allowed Banbridge to gain territory and put the Dee defence under pressure. When Banbridge ran the ball wide the Dee defences stood firm which forced the home team to change tactics and keep the ball close to their big pack of forwards. This paid off after 20 minutes when after a number of forward drives they forced their way over the line. After the drinks break Dee came back into the game and had several chances to score but, hopefully due to early season rustiness, none of these were finished off. Towards the end of the first half the Dee centre was yellow carded for repeated infringements by the team so it was backs to the wall for the next ten minutes but some excellent tackling and a couple of critical turnovers kept the Dee line intact.

Early in the second half, with all 15 back on the field, Dee enjoyed their best period in the game. Solid scrummaging gave them a good platform to attack the opposition and they were finally rewarded when Adam Alexander scored after good interplay between the rest of the backline. The last quarter of the game was slightly disjointed as both teams brought on their benches. Both teams had chances to score but it was Banbridge who succeeded when a crossfield kick was gathered by the winger who then forced his way over in the corner. Dee continued to push for an equalising score but after a relieving kick to touch the referee blew for full time.

This was a very useful outing for the Dee and good preparation for their first league game which against Academy at Donaldson Park on Saturday 26th September at 2.30pm