City of Derry put in an assured performance to end ‘Dub hoodoo’.
City of Derry RFC supporters, management and players can feel very satisfied with their weekends work as they achieved a rare win at ‘The Dub’ against Queens over the weekend. The inaccuracy and impatience of the previous encounter against Instonians was replaced by a self-assured and direct display of running rugby.
City of Derry played the first half with a slight breeze in perfect conditions and soon had Queens pinned in their 22 after strong carriers from second rows Brady and McKillop. The ball was taken strongly down the left flank and after a couple of pick and goes the scrambling Queens defence were grouped. The ball was quickly spread across the backline where any one of three players could have run it in but last year’s top try scorer Peter Henderson gratefully opened his account for the season. Richard Peoples in his first outing of the season converted to give Derry a deserved 7-0 lead after 7minutes.
Derry again took the ball back deep inside the Queens 22 after a series of quick rucks which allowed halfback Andrew Semple to snipe and thread the willing runners through the retreating Queens defences. Richard Baird was dragged down metres from the line but the quick ball was recycled and beautiful quick hands from prop Shields and Semple put Simon Logue in the left corner unmarked.
However, the gift was not received from Logue who uncharacteristically spilled the ball. This reprieve seemed to awaken the Queens outfit who then preceded to play a brand of student rugby that was enjoyed by both sets of supporters. The pace and offloading was of the highest order and only desperate Derry defence closed out a number of Queens attacks. Player of the day David Funston at centre had a huge game defensively and was responsible for closing down a number of promising raids. After absorbing the Queens pressure Derry quickly re-established their territorial advantage and with both lineout and scrum dominance they began to turn the screws on the young Queens outfit. Adam Bratton continued his try scoring habit on the 30 minute mark when he broke Queens defences with a powerful series of fends and a 30m dash to the line. The try was unconverted – 12-0. Derry dominated much of the exchanges for the remainder of the half but when they kicked ball to their opponents back three Queens displayed an ability to open up a poor chase line and looked extremely dangerous. The students deservedly scored an unconverted try on 33 minutes after a good passage of play from a long range counter attack.
Halftime score 12-5 Derry.
Despite playing into a slight breeze Derry monopolised possession and direct running from Richard Baird , Bob McKillop and Steven Corr always had the students on the back foot. Halves Semple and Peoples varied the attack well playing the wide channels when the Queens defences were grouped. Right winger Josh Lewis displayed some great footwork to unlock the defences before linking with supporting forwards who carried the ball into the Queens 22. The ball was quickly recycled before Chris Barber showed great speed and balance to evaded three defenders before scoring under the posts. Peoples failed to convert from out in front which meant it was still a two score game when Queens narrowed the margin from a long range penalty to make it 17-8.
However Derry looked comfortable on the ball this week and built phases from deep. A great counter from Baird saw him link with Funston who give a ‘Sonny Bill’ offload into evergreen Bob McKillop who took the ball strongly to the half. The quickly recycled ball saw Adam Parke put Baird through a gap and then debutant Graeme Dunn ranged up in support and showed great pace and presence of mind to stay up until support came when he was eventually hauled in by the stretched Queens defence. The recycled ball saw Parke switch the attack blind and take the ball forward strongly before offloading in the tackle to Steven Corr to score the bonus point try. A superb sideline conversion by Parke saw Derry ease out to 24-8.
Coach Bevan Lynch ran what was left on the bench with 25 minutes to go with Ian Vance replacing the impressive Andrew Semple and Gareth Beatie in for Sam Duffy at tight head. These players continued the momentum with polished displays which was a demonstration of the growing depth Derry has in this young squad. Henderson added to his first half touchdown with a further score after a series of aggressive tackles from Parke, Barber and Funston saw Queens spill the ball in their 22. Henderson gratefully collected the ball and went in untouched to make the score 29-8 with 7 minutes to play.
Queens showed their fighting spirit when their most dangerous player, fullback Matthew Quinn, scored a converted try in the final movement of the game to leave the score at 29-15. Queens stalwart Robbie Moore was quick to congratulate both Derry players and management for the positive style of rugby they played. He conceded that his Queens side were outplayed in every aspect of the game. Coaches Mark Nicol and Bevan Lynch were thrilled with the improving display and will be hoping for continued improvement in their important 2A AIL fixture against Terenure at Judges Road this Saturday.
