Disappointing Derry lose on their AIL League travels

The lose was Mark Nicholl’s side’s second AIL defeat of the season, in what was their ninth game of the campaign.

The game was in doubt with an inordinate amount of rain falling on Saturday morning. The venue was in doubt as Derry left for Banbridge with the home pitches at Rifle Park unplayable and the game being transferred to Banbridge Academy Grounds,

The visitors had previously won their last six fixtures in all competitions against Banbridge since they returned to senior rugby.

Banbridge showed no mercy from the off as they were well up for the fixture and with a hunger that was matched with a ferocious intensity and it was going to take a gigantean performance from Derry to extinguish the Banbridge fire.

Derry had the better start and full back Mark Robinson made no mistake firing his penalty over to give the Judges Road men a 3-0 lead.

Banbridge began to look dangerous as they got more possession, an off side penalty from Derry on 15 minutes was converted by Ulster player scrum half Ian Porter from 40 metres to level the scores.

Banbridge came straight back at Derry from the kick-off and a powerful break in midfield from centre Andy Morrison and a couple of miss tackles saw Porter connect with winger Hugo Harbinson who touched down in the corner for a try and with Porter converting Derry were 10-3 behind.

The Judges Road men were trying hard to get some decent possession and good play going forward from scrum half Simon Logue won a penalty which Robinson converted on 20 minutes to reduce the deficit to 10-6.

The remainder of the half belonged to Banbridge and Porter kicked two penalties for pressure on 24 and 34 minutes to put the Bann in 16-6 front.

Minutes later Banbridge confirmed their superiority when man of the match Ian Porter again made a break from a ruck in misfiled and linked again with Andy Morrison who touched down for a try which Porter converted for a 23-6 lead.

Derry came out fired up for the second half as they made their first line breaks of the day. Stephen Ferguson produced with two strong carries in succession on 43 minutes, with play going left quick ruck ball had Simon Logue diving over for a try wide out and with Mark Robinson converting Derry were right back in the game at 23-13.

Derry were finally playing well and they had a golden chance on 55 minutes to reduced the arrears to just one score between them with a penalty 20 metres out, but the inextricable decision to kick to touch for a five metre lineout saw a miss throw and possession turned over with Banbridge storming down field with their tails up.

Banbridge had been given the chance to regain control and they did as a series of ten pick and drives on twenty minutes saw big second row Simon McKinstry flop over the line for an unconverted try and a 28-13 lead.

The game was over as a contest but Derry did finish the stronger as they should have scored a consolation try near the end but a bad decision making thwarted good play and commitment.

This result sees Derry dropping to joint third in the league along with Ballymena and Barnhall just four points behind second placed Queens.

The Derry team will be disappointed with their performance but they don’t have to wait long to readdress the situation as this Saturday they host Cork men Highfield in their next AIL Fixture.

City of Derry: Chris Shields, David Ferguson, Sam Duffy, Chris Cooper, Stephen Corr, Richard Baird, Stephen Dickey, Stephen Ferguson, Simon Logue, Andrew Semple, Ryan Campbell, Adam Bratton, David Funston, Jack Hargan, Mark Robinson. Replacements: Cathal Cregan, Steven Jefferson, Bob McKillop, Paul McFeely, Stephen Brennan.