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League Match: Ballymoney 8- 11 Donaghadee (12/02/00)

"DONAGHADEE NARROWLY SEE OFF BALLYMONEY

There were many unfavourable comments made on the Donaghadee club's coach to Ballymoney last Saturday about the fierce blizzards they were encountering. If the County Down boys thought the weather in County Antrim was harsh, the two antipodeans on the bus were horrified. "No way!" was the politest of the comments made by these creatures of the sun.

Donaghadee of course had to complete their two league matches with both Firsts and Seconds no matter what the weather, so everyone was a lot happier when the snow stopped and the sun started to blink through. When the Firsts' game started it was with a bit of a flurry, not of snow, but of penalties. The rumbustious play of the home side led to two kicks at goal, one of which put Donaghadee on the scoresheet, and two well-directed touch kicks, the latter of which produced a well-organised ruck, just perfect for Matt Duff to pick and go - over the Ballymoney line, that is. The conversion attempt from the touchline did little more than prove how difficult the wet pitch and the arctic conditions were.

Strangely, not too long after this, from a "nothing" situation the Ballymoney fly half took the ball, spun round and put over an amazing drop-goal. This looked like a warning, but then the same side missed three penalty kicks before half-time.

The second half began much the same way as the first had done, and Donaghadee were awarded another kickable penalty, which Paul Blewitt dutifully converted. Ballymoney, however, were not out of the match yet. They threw themselves into winning ruck possession, and eventually were rewarded with a try not unlike the earlier Donaghadee one, where the Number 8 lifted the ball at the back of another ruck and dived over. The missed kick meant that the last few minutes were being played with a scoreline of 11-8, i.e. only a kick separating the teams.

The call went out to the Donaghadee men to keep total discipline and not give away any penalties. This worked - until the last minute. A tackle went in, a ruck formed over it, a Donaghadee hand played the ball, and Ballymoney were given a kick right in front of the Donaghadee posts. Some of the Dee supporters could not look. If they had they would have seen the kick go wide!

The game was over. Another two league points for Donaghadee. Many spectators felt that the difference between the two teams was greater than the final score would suggest. Different interpretation could have seen a less combative game, and probably more points to Donaghadee, possibly something more like the twenty points deficit in the home victory earlier in the season at Donaghadee."