Thirds defy conditions to win in Banbridge

CITY of Derry thirds made the long journey to Rifle Park in Banbridge for a tough game against a well drilled side.

Once again Derry were forced to play several players out of position.

In awful weather conditions the visitors were put under sustained pressure for much of the opening half and Banbridge eventually found their way over the line for the first try after 20 minutes. However in the act of scoring, the try-scorer suffered a nasty head injury and was forced to leave the game, leaving the home team down to 14 men for the remainder of the fixture.

Derry duly took advantage of the extra man and Darren 'Gerry' Hannah forced his way through the defence for a converted try. Banbridge re-grouped and after a poor kick chase their backline counter-attacked to score under the posts on the stroke of half time.

Derry quickly got back into the game and David Gough finished off a quick penalty move for another converted try. Shortly after that, the game looked over for Derry as Banbridge scored two further tries to lead 24-14 with less than 20 minutes remaining. But the game then turned on its head in the space of five minutes, as half backs Richard Keys and Jason McDermott combined with Mark Spencer to create the opportunity for Jason McDermott to race through from the half way line for a try he converted himself.

Moments later the same player produced a try saving tackle as he held up the Banbridge captain as he looked certain to score. This re-ignited the Thirds and 'Man of the Match' Davy Gough produced a searing break deep into the Banbridge 22 where he off loaded to the impressive Adam McDuff to touch down for the winning score.

Derry nervously held onto their slender lead and managed to see out the remaining few minutes for their first league win of the season.