City of Derry Rugby Club’s Under 17’s defeated Monaghan in convincing fashion on Saturday last at Cookstown in the Final of the Plate Competition when they outscored their opponents by nine try’s to one and were in control at half time when they had already crossed the line five times. The highlights of the game were two try’s apiece from wing forward Corey Logan, Out Half Aiden Donaghy and Centre Jack Dixon.
Derry hit the ground running and were in attack mode from the off when they scored two try’s within a minute with just ten minutes gone. The first was a classic as confidence was confirmed with a nice 5 man move along the backline just 22 meters out and centre Ryan McMenamin was on the end to touch down for an unconverted try in the corner. The kick off was fielded by Corey Logan who showed power and pace to make a 40 meter break from his own half and found Jack Dixon in support 30 meters out to run in unchallenged and touch down between the post for a try which he converted himself for a 10pts to nil lead for the Judges Road men.
Monaghan got themselves on the scoreboard on fifteen minutes with a penalty from 25 meters to reduce the arrears to 10pts to 3pts. The Derry pack were firing on all cylinders now with the front row Eoin Ferry, Adam Welsh and Mel Harkin creating a solid platform in set piece and prominent in open play. The work rate of Danny Millar at no 8 and second rows Ashley Doherty and Isaiah Morris was impressive as they combined to give quality ball to out half Aiden Donaghy on twenty minutes just inside their own half. Donaghy connected with Jack Dixon cutting a perfect line of running to take him 60 meters to touch down for a memorable unconverted try and Derry were cruising at 17pts to 3pts.
The Derry back row were everywhere and impressive open side wing forward Conor O’Hare with a massive hand off setup his open side Corey Logan run in for an unconverted try on twenty three minutes. Danny Millar the Derry No 8 was all over the place with powerful runs that were taking four or five opponents out of the game, he was definitely making use of his 6’.2” and 17st frame as he setup centre Ryan McMenamin to release Corey Logan 40 meters our and with a clever dummy he powered in for a try on thirty minutes and with Dixon converting Derry were in front by 29pts to 3pts. Monaghan got in for a converted try on thirty five minutes which left the half time score 29pts to 10pts for Derry.
The early pressure in the second half came from a resurgent Monaghan but outstanding defence from Conor Walton, Lorcan Jackson and Ronan Doherty kept the Derry line intact. Derry broke out of defence and Conor Walton made a break on thirteen minutes and found his full back Rien Walker who made an exquisite mazy run 20 meters from the try line beating five players before touching down for a special try and with Dixon converting Derry’s lead was 36pts to 10pts.
City of Derry Coaches Nathan Deeney and Phil Duffy Derry went to the bench to bring on Ittai Raz, Matthew Robinson and Danny Seaman who all made an impression. Derry had two outstanding centres in Dixon and McMenamin and they combined when the latter released Aiden Donaghy with an overhead basketball pass 50 meters out and Donaghy showed great pace to outstrip the cover and touch down for a try converted by Dixon and a 43pts to 10pts lead.
Derry finished the game in style when Man of the Match Corey Logan showed what an outstanding talent he is as firstly he won possession in midfield and released winger Ronan Doherty to score an unconverted try in the corner on thirty nine minutes. Then from the kick off Logan fielded and showed power and stamina to run 60 meters beating off several tacklers to touch down between the posts to seal a great team victory and outstanding individual performance, Jack Dixon converted for a final tally of 55pts to 10pts.
Notice;
Junior 4 Playoff; Tuesday 30th April, City of Derry 3rd XV V Limavady @ L’Derry YMCA, 7pm Kick-off
City of Derry Team V Monaghan; Eoin Ferry, Adam Welsh, Mel Harkin, Isaiah Morris, Ashley Doherty, Corel Logan, Conor O’Hare, Daniel Miller(Captain), Conor Walton, Aiden Donaghy, Ronan Doherty, Ryan McMenamin, Jack Dixon, Lorcan Jackson, Rian Walker. Replacements; Ittia Raz, Matthew Robinson, Danny Seaman.
