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City of Derry Rugby Club finished their Ulster League season in emphatic fashion on Tuesday evening against Ballymena at Eaton Park when they romped to their biggest victory ever against the Bairdmen scoring eight try’s in the process. This bonus point victory puts the Judges Road men top of the league one point ahead of Ballynahinch who still have one fixture remaining.
The manner of Derry’s victory and the team’s recent level of form and performances was testament to the work and guidance of Head Coach Mark Nicholl and his Assistant Ashley Blair in their first season first season at the helm at Judges Road. The team had already secured a top four finish in All Ireland League Division 2A last Saturday week with a classy performance down in Limerick when they defeated Old Crescent by 46pts to 33pts The Coaches asked for one last massive performance in Ballymena and how the players reacted was impressive to say the least as they had four converted try’ s on the scoreboard with just twenty minutes played.
Derry had their game heads switched on from the off on Tuesday last and when Richard McCarter cleared the ball from the kick off, Simon Logue was on to it like a shot to kick ahead and centre Chris Barber completed the move to touch down for a try between the posts, McCarter converted and Derry were in front by 7pts to nil with one minute gone. Simon Logue terrorised the entire Ballymena team and supporters on three minutes with a typical mesmeric ghost like run, with a skip and a hop and a few changes of direction and pace to burn, he had evaded four tacklers and gone 50 meters but ran out of support this time.
Derry were in the Ballymena 22 and Paul McFeely who has been playing his best rugby ever for Derry over the last few games picked up loose ball and drove forward to fix the defence. Jack Caithness collected quick ruck ball to find Richard McCarter to pass to David Funston who released David Graham to touch down for a classic try, McCarter converted and Derry were 14pts up with four minutes gone. Derry were completely on top as Chris Cooper and David Houston ruled the airways with quality lineout ball and there was only one scrum in control with Steven Jefferson, Sam McAuley and Paul McFeely in charge.
City of Derry lost Chris Barber with a shoulder injury before the first quarter was over and he was replaced by Paddy Blennerhassett. Derry scored another two quick converted try’s in a minute following outstanding back row play from Stephen Corr, Tom Patton and Stephen Ferguson who were winning everything at the breakdown and were all over the place in the loose. Firstly aggression at the breakdown allowed Peter Henderson to setup a quick attack and release Simon Logue who nonchalantly sidestepped two players to touch down for a try from 35 meters out. Then following a good forward drive Funston and McCarter combined to send flying winger David Graham in for a try and with McCarter converting both try’s and Derry were in front by 28pts to nil.
Jack Caithness and former Derry player Ian Vance who has been playing for Ballymena for the last two seasons were having a fantastic buckle at scrum half as they showed what great players they are with a competitive edge that was intriguing to watch. Vance got a break on thirty minutes as he gave Ballymena some hope when he escaped a miss tackle in midfield to run in for a converted try. Derry responded immediately when the outstanding Peter Henderson setup another Derry attack to release Paddy Blennerhassett who was playing well following his introduction to run in for a try and with McCarter kicking beautifully the conversion was a given to leave Derry in front at Half Time by 35pts to 7pts.
Derry introduced David Ferguson, Gareth Beattie, Chris Shields and Bob McKillop for the bench as the second half progressed. Ballymena lost one of their centres to the sin bin after twelve minutes as there was no letup from Derry. Ballymena had a defensive line out 20 meters out with fifteen minutes gone but Paul McFeely produced a catch and drive that his father would be proud off to touch down for a great try with three players hanging off him. McCarter Richard converted and Derry were 42pts to 7pts in front.
David Ferguson along with Beattie and Shields were having an impact since they entered the fray and their performances kept Derry on the front foot. Simon Logue scored another amazing try on eighteen minutes when he chipped ahead on the half way line to hit one of the Ballymena players and when the ball bounced back into his arms he changed gear to sprint in from 50 meters, McCarter converted and it was 40pts to 7pts. Ballymena scored two consolation try’s on twenty and thirty minutes one of which was converted.
The last word fittingly came from Derry on thirty four minutes when good driving play for Bob McKillop and Chris Shields allowed Caithness and McCarter to give David Graham a moment to remember forever as he scored his third try for Derry to complete his hat trick in a famous victory at Eaton Park. The referee blew the final whistle as the conversion was missed and the game finished six minutes early but Derry had won by 54pts to 19pts to signal the end to another successful season for this unique squad of players and the club.
Notice;
City of Derry 2nd XV play Instonians on Saturday 27th April Shaws Bridge 2.30pm Kick-off.
Junior 4 Playoff; Tuesday 30th April, City of Derry 3rd XV V Limavady @ L’Derry YMCA, 7pm Kick-off
City of Derry Team V Ballymena; Steven Jefferson, Sam McCauley, Peter McFeely, David Houston, Chris Cooper, Stephen Corr, Tom Patton, Stephen Ferguson, Jack Caithness, Richard McCarter, Simon Logue, David Funston, Chris Barber, David Graham, Peter Henderson. Replacements; David Ferguson, Chris Shields, Gareth Beatty, Bob McKillop, Paddy Blennerhassett.
