Intercept tries cost Thirds

Rainey Old Boys III...............30

City of Derry Thirds slumped to their second home defeat of the season, and will be kicking themselves for losing this game as two gifted intercept tries were ultimately the difference between the teams.

The Thirds started well and forced the visitors into conceding an early penalty which out half Keys duly slotted over. Rainey responded well and persistent offside offences resulted in a kickable penalty to bring the scores to 3-3.

Despite losing Paddy Owens for 10 minutes for a blood injury, Derry stepped up a gear and hammered away at the visitors line, and only last ditch defending and a couple of poor decisions stopped Derry from crossing for the opening try.

Rainey were reduced to 14 men for a sin bin and from the resultant penalty Derry got within five metres of the try line when a loose pass was intercepted and the Rainey full back ran the length of the pitch to score a converted try against the run of play.

But the hosts did not learn from this and less than five minutes later another pass was intercepted on half way which lead to a converted score, and Derry found themselves 17-3 down at half time despite dominating the game.

The Thirds knew they were the better team and the back three of Cummings, McDermott and Harkin where causing the visitors problems with their great counter attacking running, and it was these players who got Derry back in the game in the second half with Chris Cummings coming in off his wing to produce a superb delayed pass to send Jason McDermott under the posts with Keys adding the extras.

But discipline was soon to cost Derry dear, and a couple of silly penalties were given away which Rainey took advantage of. And with time running out Rainey added a third try to stretch their lead to 30-12.

Ben Barber made a great sniping run from the restart to send John Laverty over for a try but it was too little too late, with Rainey holding on in the last 10 minutes for a 30-17 victory. Richard Allen had an outstanding game at 7, and his experience and aggression were a welcome addition to the side, and hopefully some of the younger players will have learned from his angles of running.

Special mention also to Conal Bond who put in a terrific performance in the second row, having never played in ‘the pack’ before Conal had a great game hitting rucks and making tackles.

Next up for the Thirds is the Foster Cup game away to Ballymoney Fourths, and with the league now gone from their sights they will be hoping to get a good cup run going this season.