The Kinetica sponsored “Deramore Devels” had their first game in four weeks last Saturday at Deramore Park against City of Derry, the Devels had come out victors last time these two side met and it was expected this encounter was going to be as thrilling.
The game was to prove as expected with both sides giving full commitment in every aspects of the game, however the slippy under foot conditions was to provide problems for the kickers on both sides with only one of eight attempts going between the posts, the other problem was the issuing of 4 yellow cards during the match.
The Game started at a frantic pace and the Quins forward domination soon provided good ball enabling quick passing letting Willie Stewart open the scoring for the home side on the six minute mark, the conversion was charged down. 5 -0
City of Derry came back at the “Devels” and this was soon to provide them with their first attempt at scoring through a penalty which was missed, the issue of a yellow card to a Quins player put the home side down to 14, this was followed by a blood injury meaning they only had 13 players on the pitch but this seemed to inspire the side and again good handling between forwards and backs brought them up to the City of Derry 22 where COD defended well
During the second quarter of the match Quins put pressure on COD and as a result the visitors were forced to concede a penalty and the issue of the second yellow card of the game. They were able to hold out the home sides attacks and on return of their player just before half time they scored under the posts, the try was converted, halftime score 5 – 7.
The second half started with the same intensity as the first, both side giving nothing in defence, infact credit must be given to the home sides scrambling defence as on a number of occasions throughout the game COD had found holes in Quins defence and got in behind them but Quins always managed to get back and defend their line.
Within 3 minutes of the restart the Quins pack showed their strenght and after a strong maul prop Neil Simpson forced his way over the line, 10 – 7
Quins next try again came through forward domination with a push over try out wide, 15 – 7.
Quins received another yellow card and this let COD come back into the game with an unconverted try,15 – 12.
It was not long after the return of the Quins player that COD lost a player to the sin bin, the resultant space on the pitch saw Andy Pollock charge down his wing to score in the corner, final score 20 -12.
It was a good performance from the home side, although a bit of rustiness, they were clinical in their overall performance.
Next game Wednesday night (19th) at Deramore against Neighbouring side Queens University.
