Main Graphic: Former City of Derry RFC Pesident Mark McFeely presents the UK City of Culture” George Tees Cup “Player of the Tournament” award to David Brandon of Creggs watched by Senior V President Susan Spence.
Photo 2; Creggs from Roscommon winners of the “UK City of Culture” George Tees Cup at City of Derry RFC last Saturday.
City Of Derry RFC Notes: I XV 17 v Ballynahinch RFC I XV 56
City of Derry Rugby Club 1st XV travelled to Co. Down to take on Ballynahinch at Ballymacarron Park on Saturday last in the Ulster Senior League and were taught an early season lesson in free flowing rugby by last seasons Ulster League and All Ireland League Division 1B champions.
The early exchanges were closely contested with both defences being tested but holding firm. Derry played with the breeze behind them in the first half, and out half Richard McCarter kicked them into some great field positions deep in the opposition half. Derry however showed some early season rustiness as knock on’s and turn over’s at the breakdown were to cost them dear.
The Derry lineout was functioning well and they were getting the lion’s share of their possession from this set piece. The pace and the accuracy of the Ballynahinch’s counterattacking play from deep was be the difference in the two teams as their dangerous backs showed great pace and awareness of space to keep Derry under constant pressure as the first half progressed. Hinch scored two first half tries and a penalty with Derry’s only reply being a well taken Richard McCarter try as he straightened his line of running to score under the posts and stepped up to convert his own try to leave the score at halftime 17pts to 7pts for Ballynahinch.
Hinch upped the tempo after half time with many of their newly recruited players keen to impress their coaches. Derry got a strong dose of their own medicine as the Hinch backs ran the ball at every opportunity which left the Derry defence stretched. Turnovers again at the ruck were costing Derry possession which Hinch took full advantage of scoring seven second half tries.
Derry forwards Sam Duffy and David Ferguson worked hard in the tight exchanges throughout the day City of Derry Coaches Mark Nicholl and Ashley Blair made several changes as the half progressed giving valuable first team experience to young fringe players Ross Harkin, Ryan Spratt and Ross Scott.
Derry to their credit didn’t give up trying to play rugby and on the stoke of full time Richard Baird ran a great line from a training ground move to score untouched under the post converted which was converted by Adam Parke. The final score of 56pts to17pts to Ballynahinch did not reflect the effort put in by the Derry players as Hinch capitalised on all mistakes made by the ambitious Derry team.
Derry have some work to do this week on retaining possession particularly at ruck time and at the new engagement at scrum down. The pleasing aspect for Derry is that they will welcome back six of last years 1st team regulars in key positions for the clash at Ballymena next Saturday at home and they will be keen to put this defeat behind them and impress their home fans.
“UK City of Culture”George Tees Cup; Meanwhile at Judges Road on Saturday last the most competitive “UK City of Culture” George Tees Cup for many years was won by Creggs from Co Roscommon. The Connacht men defeated Omagh in a pulsating final that saw the skills displayed up there at a level way above the Minor League grade they were competing at. Creggs won the final by 10pts to nil with the Player of the Tournament David Brandon outstanding for the Roscommon side
