Banbridge 25pts, City of Derry RFC 33pts
Report by; George Walker.
City of Derry Rugby Club travelled to Banbridge on Saturday last for their Ulster League Fixture more in hope than expectation considering their recent slump in form. The Judges Road men had been beaten in their last six competitive fixtures. Derry have an extended injury list which was compounded with a serious ankle injury to loose head prop Chris Shields at the close of training last Thursday night, so the omens were not good for a change of fortune in their first fixture of the New Year.
Banbridge have only been beaten once in All Ireland League Division 2A this season and that was away to Old Crescent. They have ambitions for promotion to AIL Division 1B for the first time and they started the game on Saturday as if a game against City of Derry would be a training run to blow away the Christmas cobwebs.
Banbridge kicked off the game in dry conditions with very little wind and perfect for rugby. The Bann were quickly into their stride and following a scrum on the half way line they showed why they are doing so well in AIL Division 2A. Great support play amongst their backs and forwards resulted in their blind-side wing forward Dale Carson scoring an unconverted try in the corner. Unfortunately for Derry Adam Parke appeared to pull a hamstring allowing Chris Barber to enter the fray as substitute.
The first twenty minutes of this game was totally dominated by the home side and their cause was helped by some poor defence from a lacklustre Derry side. Banbridge scored again on eighteen minutes when their centre Andy Morrison picked a good line to score another unconverted try for a 10pts to nil lead. Derry eventually were getting some decent possession and were coming back into the game. They were maintaining possession for long spells but were unable to pierce a well organised Banbridge defence.
Derry lost control on twenty five minutes inside the Banbridge 22 and possession was turned over. Derry infringed a number of times at the breakdown and when Richard McCarter was caught offside once more the referee had no hesitation in sending him to the sin-bin. The resulting penalty was slotted over by the Banbridge scrum half Ian Porter who was pivotal in all that Banbridge were doing well and the lead was 13pts to nil.
Peter Henderson was now playing at out half and Derry started to show more attacking flare with Simon Logue and Chris Barber making excellent breaks. Again Derry pressed the self destruct button when Brian Prue joined Richard McCarter in the bin for an infringement in the line out. Some more indifferent Derry defence allowed the Banbridge second row Chris Allen to score a try under the posts on thirty five minutes which was converted by Porter to leave the half time score 20-0 to the home side. Derry unfortunately lost centre Ryan Campbell with a leg injury on the stroke of halftime and he was replaced by William McCleery.
The Derry Head Coach Mark Nicholl and his assistant Ashley Blair must have had some strong words with their charges at half time as the change in intensity and application was evident from off in the second half. Derry upped their physicality at the breakdown and some strong driving runs from Captain David Funston supported by Richard Baird were causing some concern for the Bann defence. Derry were now controlling the game and were rewarded when Derry No 8 Tom Patton drove over from short range on five minutes for a deserved try which was converted by Peter Henderson and the lead was 20pts to 7pts.
Derry introduced David Witherow and Sam McCauley and they along with second row Bob McKillop confirmed the theory of the old dogs for the hard road as the transformation was immediate and the lead and example they gave to the rest of the team was infectious. The scrum was dominant and the physical aggression at breakdown and in the loose just blew Banbridge away. There was one more score left in Banbridge and that came on nine minutes when Andy Morrison again took advantage of some more missed tackles which allowed him to touch down for an unconverted try and the lead was 25pts to 7pts.
City of Derry took full control of the game for the remainder of the half and suddenly confidence oozed from every player as quality go forward ball was produced for half backs Jack Caithness and Richard McCarter. The Judges Road men were on the scoreboaed again on fifteen minutes when David Funston made a great break and he offloaded to Chris Barber to stride in under the posts and touch down for an excellent try which Henderson converted and Banbridge lead by 25pts to 14pts.
The fight back was now well and truly on as McAuley, McKillop and Witherow were running loose carrying ball and intimidating the opposition and their own players who responded to their commitment. Banbridge had no answer as Derry were in full control and Simon Logue put pressure on the earlier assured Porter on twenty minutes, he fumbled the ball over his own line and Stephen Corr pounced to touch down for a try. Henderson converted to leave the score 25-21 in favour of a now very tired Banbridge side.
William McCleery scored another excellent Derry try on thirty five minutes which resulted from strong driving play by the Derry pack and good handling by the backs. Henderson converted from out wide and Derry were now ahead for the first time by 28pts to 25pts. Derry continued to attack a beleaguered Banbridge team and winger David Graham showed great pace and strength to score an unconverted try in the corner on the stroke of full time, leaving the final score 33pts to 25pts as an ecstatic Derry team and travelling support celebrated.
This second half fight back will hopefully be a turning point in City of Derry’s season and will give renewed confidence for next weeks visit of Queens University to Judges Road for an All Ireland League Fixture with a 2.30pm Kick-off.
City of Derry Team V Banbridge; Steven Jefferson, David Ferguson, Sam Duffy, Bob McKillop, Brian Prue, Stepehen Corr, David Funston, Tom Patton, Jack Caithness, Richard McCarter, David Graham, Ryan Campbell, Adam Parke, Simon Logue, Peter Henderson. Replacements; Sam McAuley, David Witherow, Richard Baird, Chris Barber, William McCleery.
Outstanding performance by City of Derry RFC Under 19 team
City of Derry RFC Under 19’s 42pts, Ballymena 14pts
City of Derry’s Under 19 team travelled to Eaton Park, Ballymena on Saturday to compete in the Ulster League against Ballymena Under 19s and returned worthy winners following a convincing display of open rugby. The team ably led by outhalf Tiernan Thornton were evenly matched by Ballymena in the first fifteen minutes of play. A solid Derry scrum was producing the ideal platform for a strong running backline who opened up the Ballymena defence mid way through the first half, resulting in a try under the posts. Forwards and backs linked well together and Ballymena were finding it more and more difficult to secure quality ball, mainly through dominate scrummaging and strong tackling around the fringes at rucks and mauls. At the interval Derry were leading 20 points to 7, the Ballymena score coming from a breakaway try by their out half, Daniel Appleton.
The start of the second half saw a more determined performance from Ballymena but Derry met the challenge and with fourteen minutes gone they had increased the lead to 27-7. The opposition continually used the high ball to keep Derry in their own half, however they found full back Tom Cameron solid in defence. Counter attacking by Derry was now Ballymena’s downfall as any ball kicked by them was punished by some superb solo runs from both forwards and backs that tore the Ballymena defence to shreds. The final score saw CDRFC under 19s clear winners by 42 points to14.
The scores throughout the game came from Ashley Doherty (2), Isaiah Morris , Tiernan Thornton, Aaron Deery and Ryan Barlow with captain Tiernan Thornton adding a penalty.
Man of the Match award selected by the players went to prop/hooker Eoin Ferry.
