City of Derry 2nd’s got their league campaign off to a good start on Saturday with a convincing 39-12 defeat of Banbridge 2’s at Judges Road.
This was the first game of the season and Derry were caught on the hop early when Banbridge scored a converted try to lead 7-0 with only 90 seconds on the clock.
The experienced Derry captain Brian Prue rallied his team together and they started to string together some good phases of play which kept Banbridge pinned in their own half.
Derry’s pressure finally told after 17 minutes when winger Stephen Brennan went over for a try in the corner. Out half Adam Parke missed the difficult conversion but 10 minutes later slotted a penalty from 35 yards after the Banbridge centre’s had been caught offside in midfield.
Minutes later Derry were awarded a penalty inside the opposition 22 and scrum half Ian Vance took a quick tap, the ball reached winger Brennan who scampered in for his 2nd try. Parke added the extras with a touchline conversion and Derry led 15-7.
Derry continued to pressurise ‘Bridge with Chris Cooper & Robin Craig supplying good line out ball which allowed Vance to set the backline moving where Parke & Gary Boyle made good breaks.
Just before half time a kick by out half Parke was fumbled by the ‘Bridge fullback, good following up by Derry had numbers at the breakdown and when the ruck was won Chris McDonald powered his way over to score leaving the half time score 20-7 in the home side’s favour.
Derry started the second half as they’d finished the first with a try almost immediately following the break. Derry won good lineout ball and from the ensuing ruck Ian Vance made a good break and fed captain Brian Prue. Prue made good ground and passed inside to Chris Barber in support who, despite being sick all week, showed the defence a clean pair of heesl to increase the home side’s lead to 25-7.
Banbridge narrowed the gap when, from a scrum deep inside the Derry 22, their blind side winger powered his way over for a try which went unconverted.
From the restart Derry continued to attack ‘Bridge with powerful runs from centre Boyle and the second row partnership of Cooper & McDuff. A storming run by McDuff took play deep into the 22, Vance fed outhalf Parke who drew his marker and put Boyle in for try converted by Philip Duffy.
Minutes later Boyle almost had his 2nd try but was held up over the line by some good defence.
With the final move of the game Boyle made another break and was held up10 metres short of the try line. Phil Duffy was in support to rip the ball from him and run in to score a try which he converted himself to leave Derry convincing victors 39-12.
