City of Derry Ladies travelled to Enniskillen on Sunday missing 3 regular players and, despite the best efforts of the referee, secured a 4-try bonus point win to move into 2nd place in the league.
Derry started well and after 3 minutes opened the scoring when after a superb drive from Kylie Boyle captain Di Nixon picked up from the ensuing ruck to score an unconverted try.
Mid way through the half, which was marred by numerous penalties awarded by the referee against both teams, Enniskillen kicked 3 points following a Derry infringement to bring the score to 5-3.
Approaching half time ‘Skins conceded a penalty in their 22. Derry opted for the scrum and captain Di picked up & powered over for her 2nd try to increase the Derry lead to 10-3.
Just on half time Derry winger Andrea Shepherd was ‘sin binned’ for no apparent reason and Derry were reduced to 14 for the next 10 minutes.
The second half, like the first, was dominated by the referee.
Derry increased their lead 15 minutes into the second half when they won the ball from a ruck and Rachel Lennox fed the ball to the supporting Glenda Mellon. Ulster 2nd row Glenda showed good pace and a big hand off to beat the cover defence from 25 metres to score out wide.
The game swung back and forth for the next 15 minutes and eventually Enniskillen won the ball at a ruck inside their half. Their centre made a good break and was sprinting towards the Derry try line but was stopped by a superb cover tackle by Julie Simpson.
With 10 minutes remaining the Derry pack made good ground before scrum half Lennox released winger Ciara McGurk with a well timed pass. The winger showed her undoubted speed & great footwork to sprint 60 metres to score the bonus point try which Lennox converted and Derry led 22-3.
With the last play of the game Enniskillen managed to cross the Derry line and were clearly held up by Ciara & Di only for the referee to award a controversial try which was converted to leave the final score 22-10 in Derry’s favour.
The Derry team, fielding several inexperienced players, came away with a fine result on what was a difficult day for both teams. Good play by the Derry pack set up a platform for the backs to attack.
