"The Dee" had being undergoing management and coaching restructuring over the summer period and with new players coming in to the squad late coupled with warm up games cancelled and unavailable of players due to late holidays, it was a game that had been targeted more as a "fact finding" match rather than a competitive one.

From the off it could be seen the rustiness of the visiting side although it was not long until combinations started to work and individual players started to stand out. The physicality of the "The Dee" men was evident in tackles and at the breakdown but the new combinations against a side that had been together for a few seasons proved to stop "Dee" attacks resulting in lost points. but his was to be expected.

Randalstown had most of the possession of the first half but only managed 10 points, "The Dee" had two missed penalties and knock ons or dropped passes stopped them crossing the home sides line.

Second half saw Randalstown dominate the scrum, again was expected in this first game against such a strong scrummaging side, but even with this "The Dee" had ample attacking opportunities, only for poor communication to let the attacks fail.

Even with Randalstown scrum advantage and possession it was not until the end of the third quarter that they managed to score their third try.

Randalstown did go on to win the game but Donaghadee's management team were pleased with how the game had been played and more importantly the attitude of the players in defeat.

The game showed what is to be worked on over the next few weeks to bring this side up to where it should be and maybe the comment of the Randalstown coach stating "The Dee are a much better side than last year" says it all

Report by Mark Henderson