Dalriada U-13s in derby win over Coleraine Inst.

LAST Thursday Dalriada Under-13 rugby team hosted their local rivals Coleraine Inst in a much anticipated derby game. After a keenly contested match, the Dalriada boys emerged as winners by 28 points to 7.

The match began with both teams struggling to come to terms with the very heavy pitch resulting in a number of handling errors. However, Dalriada began to master the conditions and took the lead when centre Ross Fallows burst through the Inst defence to score below the posts. Stuart Moore added the conversion.

Minutes later Dalriada captain Connor Creith showed great determination to burst through a number of tackles for a try which he also converted. To their credit Coleraine Inst fought back strongly and after a period of sustained pressure they scored a good converted try to make the half time score 14 points to 7.

Early in the second half Inst exerted real pressure on the home team but the Dalriada boys defended superbly. As the half progressed the home team began to establish their superiority and full back Luke Cantley cut a lovely angle to score an excellent try which Connor Creith converted.

At this stage the Dalriada boys were playing some great rugby with the forwards dominating the rucks and the half backs Matthew Kennedy and Connor Creith kicking well for position.

The scoring was completed when Ross Fallows received the ball near the touch line and showed his blistering pace to outrun the Inst defence and scored below the posts. Connor Creith kicked the conversion to complete a well deserved victory by 28 points to 7.

This was a thoroughly deserved win for the Dalriada boys with every member of the squad playing his part. Dalriada now look forward to their trip to Glasgow where they will watch Ulster play Glasgow on Friday evening before playing Hutchinson Grammar School on Saturday. With this derby win under their belts the Dalriada boys travel in confident mood.