v Banbridge 2nd XV (A) 2009-10

Banbridge 2nd XV 12-16 Donaghadee 1st XV (14/11/2009)

The Donaghadee supporters who made the trip to Banbridge for their Junior Cup game were entertained to a fine tactical battle in good conditions at Rifle Park last Saturday. Right from the kick-off Paul Blewitt gave Banbridge notice that they were going to have to keep a close eye on the close-in channels near the set pieces. First he dummied to go through himself, and then shifted the ball inside to his supporting forwards, and then he went sharply himself. For the next half-hour the result was that his potential tormentors were desperate to plug any holes close in, thus leaving space for Blewitt to pepper the backfield with penetrating kicks to gain good field position.

The result for the first half-hour was that Donaghadee had slightly the edge in the exchanges, their continuity a bit spoiled in every sense by too enthusiastic use of the hands by Banbridge in the rucks after a tackle. This gave them a welcome series of penalty kicks marred only by the fact that they were almost always much too far out for goal kicks. But not quite always. Twice the local radar mis-fired and the kick was awarded within Richard Millar’s range, and twice he was well up to the task of converting them. Six-nil was probably just slightly less than a fair reflection of the superiority Donaghadee had been enjoying.

The Donaghadee forwards must have realised this and they produced a sterling effort, not to mention great composure, with a concerted drive to their opponents’ line, crowned as so often, by the coup de grâce from their Number 8 David Thompson. This took the score to a more fitting 11-0, but Millar then added two more. An undisciplined protest by some defenders then forced the referee to award Donaghadee a penalty kick from half-way for dissent. Millar was happy to have a go from mid-field, and to Banbridge’s chagrin his fifty-yarder sailed over the bar to take Donaghadee to a 16-0 lead as the half ended.

The new half began with the Donaghadee men well aware that they had been enjoying the benefits of a following wind for forty minutes, and as well as losing this they now had to face a bright, low sun. This game was not over yet.

Banbridge gave notice that they were well aware of the advantages they now had, and put in a huge kick to test full-back Stephen Marshall’s mettle. This young man showed that his first outing in the position was well-deserved with a clean catch and a superb clearance kick that simply shouted “Bring it on.” In fact, Banbridge clearly decided to try other tactics. With about twenty minutes left Donaghadee were showing well in the line-outs, with Kyle Morrow, Richard Martindale and Andrew Dunn all taking and using excellent possession. Gareth Gordon, Paul Hamilton and Chris Good were using less subtle ways of making ground with power runs straight at the heart of the Banbridge defence. Worryingly, these runs and the good line-out ball were making ground, but without any serious penetration. Anyone watching would have been thinking that things could change – and for Donaghadee, the worse. Their coach Ian Martindale decided that fresh legs were needed, and sent Stuart Hutchinson and Patrick Quinn into the fray. These two young men were anxious to impress, and they did. Donaghadee showed that their recent successes in League and Cup had given them a large dose of self-belief. But Banbridge were not going to give in without a struggle.

Suddenly they got the success they had been striving for. From a speculative attack that did not seem to hold any great menace a miss-pass surprised the swarming Donaghadee defence. It found a supporting lock forward with an open door in front of him. He may have been a little surprised too, but he took virtually no time to take advantage. He charged a little, but with a vision that International forwards sometimes lack, he shot the ball to his supporting winger who he knew, and Donaghadee quickly found out, had much more serious pace – and room. It may have caught everyone a little by surprise, but this was a good and deserved try. Its conversion took the score to 16-7, much more encouraging for the home side.

So much did this permeate through their team that when a high kick was mis-fielded by Donaghadee it was the Banbridge eight (or was it ten?) who were round it with menace. The despairing Donaghadee defence simply could not halt the surge they produced and the home side was suddenly behind by only 16-12.

This might easily have been followed by another Banbridge score, but two superb smothering tackles first by the tireless Gavin Gordon and then by full-back Marshall, stopped their next attacks dead in their tracks. Banbridge and Donaghadee were both well aware that time was short. Indeed the referee was kind enough to tell the players that the game would probably not go past the next stoppage. Of course this ensured a lively finish. With the Bannsiders throwing everything at the Dee line, and every Dee man throwing himself into desperation defence, it could go either way. Somehow someone in a red and green shirt eventually got his hands on the ball with enough room to kick it so far away that some people were still looking for it as the Donaghadee victors clapped their losing opponents off the field of battle. Cup rugby football at its best!

The Donaghadee team was: Stephen Marshall, Gavin Gordon, Richard Millar, Andrew Findlater, Rory Garnham, Paul Blewitt, Jamie Cardwell; Chris Good (c), Paul Hamilton, Gareth Gordon, Kyle Morrow, Andrew Dunn, Richard Martindale, Chris Hamilton and David Thompson. Subs: Stuart Hutchinson and Patrick Quinn.

Donaghadee has a week’s rest and then the team completes its Junior Cup programme with a game against the other Upper Bannside team – Portadown. A win in this game can put Donaghadee into the Quarter-Finals, so it should be an excellent display of rugby at Donaldson Park on 28 November. Put it in your diary.

3rd XV Result

Donaghadee 3rd XV went down 28-5 to Shorts.

Next week’s Fixtures (21 November)

Donaghadee 2nd XV will be playing Ballynahinch 5th XV at Ballym Ballymacarn Park
Donaghadee 3rd XV visit Holywood.
Both games kick off at 2.30pm.