City of Derry RFC 10pts, Old Crescent 5pts
Match Report by; Moss Dineen
2 Photos Ryan Campbell offloading in the tackle & Stephen Dickey on the run.
City of Derry Rugby Club continued their unbeaten run in All Ireland League Division 2A on Saturday last at Judges Road when they overcame a dogged Old Crescent team in a game that went down to the wire. Derry started the day lying in second position in the league but with top team Ballymena being defeated at home by Banbridge on a 17pts to 15pts score line, the Judges Road men are now top of the league two points ahead of the Bairdmen.
The conditions were perfect for rugby on Saturday with a strong setting sun the only problem for supporters on the Club side of the pitch. The Limerick men came to the fixture with just one league victory and fourth from bottom of the league. They started the game with some intent and all out attack as the Derry defence lost its shape very quickly with poor tackling and things looked ominous for the home team. Old Crescent got an early penalty chance to go ahead after five minutes from 35 meters but their full back Kevin Mead was wide.
Derry got their hands on the ball and looked dangerous and it looked like the game would produce an avalanche of scores to emulate their fixture last season that saw Derry winning by scoring seven try’s to five. The home scrum was rock solid with Stephen Jefferson, David Ferguson and Sam Duffy getting the better of the front row exchanges. Derry won a penalty for off side on twelve minutes and Neil Burns found a great touch 5 meters out, Chris Cooper won the line out and a strong drive resulted in a scrum. Andrew Semple fed the ball and Man of the Match Stephen Ferguson picked up at No 8 and powered in for a try, Burns converted and Derry were in front by 7pts to Nil.
Old Crescent were back on the attack and were rewarded with a try after eighteen minutes when their out half McDonagh switched play across the backline after strong driving from forwards Ben Rowley and Padraig Monaghan. Derry missed a tackle on centre Larry Hanly who released winger Sean Cunningham to touch down for a try. The conversion attempt from Meade was charged down and Derry were still in front by 7pts to 5pts
Old Crescent came back strongly but the Derry defence was excellent with their back row of Stephen Corr, Stephen Ferguson and Stephen Dickey working hard and backs Ryan Campbell and Adam Bratton were solid all through. Derry cleared their lines twice in quick succession around the twenty five minute mark and second row Paul McFeely who was industrious all game won a great turnover penalty two minutes later to set his team on the attack.
Stephen Dickey was having a great game at the breakdown and carrying ball at every opportunity and he won a penalty for Derry on thirty three minutes when Crescent went off side and Neil Burns converted from 30 meters to put the home side in front by 10pts to 5pts. Stephen Ferguson took his play to a different level from the kick off with a 30 meter drive as five men were brushed aside, he repeated the feat a couple of minutes later as Old Crescent crumbled in his wake and his presence with ball in hand spelled danger. Derry were unable to capitalise on great go forward ball as they insisted on route one back play to no avail and in the process were too predictable as the first half sped by.
The second half was a nondescript affair as both teams produced inept performances as only the closeness of the score kept the supporters interested. Derry won a penalty 40 meters out on thirteen minutes but Neil Burns was unlucky with his kick as it dropped short under the posts. Derry brought on Sam McAuley, Gareth Beatty and Jack Hargan as the half progressed and continued to have the lions share of possession but decision making and direction were poor.
The Judges Road men had a chance to kill the game on thirty minutes when the were awarded a kickable penalty 30 meters out that would have put them two scores in front. Derry opted to kick to touch in the corner but were turned over after a couple of drives towards the line and the door was left ajar for the treaty men to come knocking.
As follows night the day Crescent moved down the field as time ebbed away, Derry lost Chris Cooper to the bin for continual team infringements as no time approached and the siege at Derry’s line was well and truly on. The home players, management and supporters breathed a sigh of relief as Simon Logue, William McCleery and Andrew Semple combined to turn over possession and bring the ball clear and into touch with the last play of the game and send Derry to the top of the league.
Old Crescent President Chris Cullinan said after the game “we were delighted with our performance today as that was our best display of the season despite being defeated. We were really pleased to come away with a loosing bonus point as not many teams will come to Judges Road and go away with anything this season”. City of Derry are away to Bruff Co Limerick in the AIL next weekend and will have to dig deep for victory despite the home teams dismal record so far this season of having played five and lost five.
City of Derry RFC Team V Old Crescent: Stephen Jefferson, David Ferguson, Sam Duffy, Chris Cooper, Paul McFeely, Stephen Corr, Stephen Dickey. Stephen Ferguson, Andrew Semple, Neil Burns, Ryan Campbell, Adam Bratton, Simon Logue, Jack Caithness, William McCleery. Replacements: Sam McAuley, Gareth Beatty, Jonny Lyons, Adam Parke, Jack Hargan.
