City of Derry Ladies travelled to Dublin on the second of three consecutive trips to Leinster in their AIL Division 2 League campaign, this time to play Trinity College Dublin. In a fiercely-contested encounter, City of Derry emerged the winners by 12 points to 10.
Both packs became involved in hard fought loose play and it was the home side which had the edge in the tight, particularly in the scrums. However, after 20 minutes and on the opposition 10 yard line number 8 Di Nixon broke blind and fed to Rachel Lennox who returned the favour. Nixon found a route through the opposition cover defence to touch down near the posts. Lennox converted to leave the score 7-0.
Determined to score, Trinity re-grouped but were prevented by some fine tackling not only from Stacey-lea Kennedy and Bridin McDermott in the centre but also Kylie Boyle and Glenda Mellon who were proving their undoubted worth in the second-row. Derry’s patterns were being spoiled by the home side and this was the pattern for the rest of the half. Rather frustratingly against the run of play Trinity were awarded a try on the touchline although the ball appeared to have been spilled over the line. The conversion was missed.
Derry absorbed much pressure from Trinity who were encouraged by their vociferous support on the touchline. Discipline was on occasion a little lacking during this period and the Derry girls were unlucky to concede a try by the Trinity inside centre just on half-time despite the courageous tackling of Kennedy.
Derry heads might easily have dropped but it was not to happen on this outing. The combination of old heads and young talent fought keenly in the second half and it was that belief and determination which caused them to throw everything at Trinity. Kate Lorenti showed her potential at wing forward and the props Michelle Gormley-McLaughlin and Naomi Seaman contested well. Rachael Fleming had yet another outstanding game and was unlucky to be pulled down by the collar just short of the line, having sped from her own 22 and beaten all but one of the opposition back line.
On what was to be the final play of the game, Kennedy won the ball against the head, Nixon drove on and the ball was spun out to centre Bridin McDermott to cross over and to leave the final score 12-10 in Derry’s favour.
Derry now travel to Malahide on Sunday for their fourth league fixture.
The Ladies continue their training on Tuesday and Thursday evenings commencing at 7.30 pm.
