Injury to skipper mars an impressive victory

City of Derry Ladies48

CITY of Derry Ladies travelled to Belfast Harlequins on Sunday and recorded an eight try, bonus point win to secure first place in the top section and a home tie in the semi-final of the Ulster Cup.

The Derry girls opened the scoring on 10 minutes when, following two quick rucks, they were awarded a five metre scrum. No 8 Diane Nixon picked up from the scrum and slipped the ball to scrum half Noreen Nethercott who fed the backs. Swift handling saw the ball moved to Kelly Holmes who scored in the corner. Lennox missed the difficult conversion and Derry led 5-0.

On 17 minutes following a ruck Quins lost their prop and the scrums became uncontested for the remainder of the match. Derry conceded a penalty in front of their posts at the ruck which Quins converted to leave the score at 5-3.

Derry were immediately on the attack and from a scrum 20 metres out a well rehearsed move by the backs saw centre Bridin McDermott score the first of her two tries beside the posts to increase the lead to 10-3.

On a rare foray into Derry territory, Quins were awarded another penalty in front of the Derry posts and brought the score back to 10-6.

Immediately from the restart a break by Louise Clarke with Nixon and Roxy McGregor in support saw the ball moved to the wing and Grainne Crabtree scored wide out to leave the half-time score 15-6.

Unfortunately prop Lizzie Ballantine was given a yellow card for a high tackle but the Derry girls came out for the second half in determined mood and continued to pressurise the Quins line straight from the kick-off.

A five metre scrum saw No 8 and captain Nixon pick up and break through to score the bonus-point try beside the posts, which Rachel Lennox converted to extend the lead to 22-6.

Following great handling and support play by the back-line the ball was kicked into the Quins 22. A sliced kick by their fullback gave Derry a line-out 5 metres out. Ballentine took the ball and made good ground supported by Crabtree who passed to Nixon. The No 8 made a good break and spun the ball out to Kelly Holmes who scored her second try besides the posts. Lennox added the conversion to leave the score 29-6 in Derry's favour.

Nixon took the ball straight from the restart and using her pace made good ground before feeding the backs who took play to the Quins line, following two quick rucks the fast-thinking open-side Louise Clarke picked and scored in the corner.

On 65 minutes, following three good phases of play, Derry set up a ruck on the Quins line. Quick thinking by Nethercott saw the scrum half beat three defenders to score by the uprights. Lennox converted to bring the tally to 41-6.

Shortly afterwards, second row Roxy McGregor received a yellow card and took no further part in the game.

With the final play of the game Nixon made good ground with Martin-Pineiro, who is becoming a force to be reckoned with and Grainne Crabtree, who had an impressive game, in support. From the ensuing ruck swift handling by Holmes put the ever-improving McDermott in for her second try beside the posts. Rachel Lennox converted to see Derry victorious by 48-6.

Derry should have had another try soon after but prop Lizzie Ballentine spilled the ball over the goal line.

Training takes place for all players including beginners and Under 19’s at 7.30pm on Monday’s and Thursday’s. Contact James Doherty on (0777) 971 2017.