Match report by Geoff Ingham

Ballymoney were the visitors to Donaldson Park on Saturday afternoon for a Kukri Championship 2 League game. After last week’s encouraging performance the Dee were hoping to continue their progress against a team sitting in the top half of the table. Although they were still without Ali Lockhart, Adam Alexander, Ray Dobson and Robbie Grant the Dee were able to welcome back Ali Barnes, Chris McGivern, Dylan Robinson and Sam Ingham, the latter returning to captain the side. Yet another product of our Academy, Harry McCracken, made his 1st XV debut at full-back. A minutes silence was observed prior to kick-off in honour of club stalwart, Jimmy Fraser, who sadly passed away earlier in the week. Although the pitch was moist underfoot, the conditions were ideal throughout the game which allowed both teams to try and play an attractive brand of rugby. Donaghadee made the better start to the game, spending most of the first 15 minutes in the opposition’s half. The half backs Ben Beattie and Mark Cooper were instrumental in keeping Ballymoney pinned down with several probing kicks, including an excellent 50-22 by Cooper. The forwards also played their part with some strong runs by Jack Chesney and Ali Barnes. This pressure eventually paid off in the 25th minute when Beattie poked a kick behind the Ballymoney defensive line and Robbie Ingham ran through and gathered the ball to score in the right-hand corner. Cooper was successful with the difficult conversion to give the Dee a 7-0 lead. The rest of the half followed a similar pattern with Ballymoney having only the occasional foray into the Dee half. These attacks were comfortably dealt with by the Dee defence, including a couple of trademark Barnes turnovers. However, the Dee were unable to turn their pressure into points, even when Ballymoney were reduced to 14 men, and the home crowd were left wondering at half time if the 7 point lead was going to be enough.

As the second half began Ballymoney found themselves close to the Dee line and would have scored if it had not been for an excellent turnover by Padric Aherne. Ballymoney had a chance to reduce the deficit on 55 minutes but the fullback pushed his penalty attempt wide of the mark. Ballymoney continued to see more of the ball and the Dee were reduced to 14 men on the hour when the Dee player was shown yellow for a high tackle. Unlike the Dee earlier, Ballymoney did prosper from the numerical advantage when they scored from a rolling maul. The conversion was missed leaving the score 7-5 in the Dee’s favour. Ballymoney continued to put pressure on the Dee and another Dee player saw yellow after an infringement at a ruck. The 13 players remaining on the field now had to dig deep to keep Ballymoney at bay and the high tackle count from back row forwards Bryn McCartney and Johnny Gamble exemplified the attitude of this young team. However, eventually Ballymoney made use of their extra men when they spun it wide and the centre ran through to touch down under the posts for a converted try to give them a 12-7 lead. Rather than let their heads drop the Dee regained the momentum and made their way up the field into the Ballymoney half. With only a few minutes remaining a series of penalties allowed Cooper to push the Dee into the Ballymoney 22. A well taken lineout from Aherne allowed the Dee to set up a driving maul and it was captain Sam Ingham who crashed over the line to level the game at 12-12. Unfortunately, the conversion dropped just short of the posts and a minute later the referee blew for full time.

Two more valuable league points for the Dee and another encouraging performance from the team. There were several contenders for man of the match including McGivern, Barnes and Sam Ingham who all played well on their return and whose invaluable experience helps those around them. Beattie and Cooper also had good games at 9 and 10 but this week’s award goes to young winger Johnny Moore who was solid in defence all game and looked dangerous with the ball in hand.

It’s the same opposition next week when the Dee travel to Ballymoney. The next home game is on 3rd December against Coleraine.