Friendly games at this time of the year are an essential peice of any teams pre-season strategy and City Of Derry travelled to Belfast Harlequins to assess their readiness for AIL Rugby.
The visitors came out of the stalls fighting in the first half with a succession of tries and conversions.
The home side rallied in the second half bringing the scores level.
Derry however were delighted when Richard McCarter converted a penalty in the last few mintues to seal victory.
The two sides met last year in a similar pre-season encounter. Playing four 20 minute periods, this style of training game has become very popular.
Both sides has squads of 25-30. With lots of substitutions.
The scoreline is always important but there is alot to be learnt by coaches in these training games. In fact this game is a prime example of that.
City of Derry were the attackers in the first 40, putting together the phases and getting their rythm together. Harlequins were the defenders. In the second half Harlequins were the attackers, and staring at a 19-0 deficit Harlequins had to gel as aa team and believe in each other, to put together the plays required.
Who gets over the gain line, which front row is the best combination, who is winning their line out. All the positions get tested.
The usual passion of this encounter was plain to be seen with several fracas adding to an immense day for both sides.
Belfast Harlequins and City Of Derry are two major sides who’s structures, coaching and playing personnel are on the up at the moment. We look forward to covering an explosive series of games to open their seasons on InTouch Rugby.
