Lynch thrilled with big win

That is their sixth consecutive win and with City of Derry in this kind of form a top four finish is still possible.

Speaking to the Sentinel about their latest win Bevan Lynch said: “It was a pretty solid display. With everyone playing well throughout the team I am absolutely thrilled about the nature of the win.

“There are not too many teams that have humbled De Le Salle in the scrum but we certainly did. It was an aggressive scrum display with David Houston having a brilliant game. Our scores were taken well and as a unit everyone played their part in a fantastic home victory.”

City of Derry’s six match unbeaten run include three wins in the AIL 2A and three in the Ulster Senior League. They have won four at home and two away. The New Zealand head coach has attributed this excellent run of form to a team get together over the Christmas break. He said: “As a team we sat down and discussed our season and were we had to improve. We highlighted the need to eradicate silly mistakes and improve our lineout.

“The players took all this on board and have turned in solid displays. There is always room for improvement but Saturday’s game against D.L.S.P was a real challenge and the team responded to that challenge.”

With confidence coming from this latest winning streak the Kiwi has not ruled out a top four finish just yet. The management team at City of Derry have always pointed out that promotion was the goal to achieve this season.

Lynch said: “When City of Derry play they are one of the best in the league. They have put in some mighty performances and when our application is good we win games. We have grown in confidence and looking ahead to the games that remain it is still possible to finish in the top four.

“If we can amass a good tally of points in or around 48 then it will be a great end to the season for us. We can only control what we control and that is the games we are involved in. We must pick up as many points as possible including bonus points and see were that leaves us.”

The Judges Road men have lost a few players to the sin bin in their last two games. Bevan was asked about his teams discipline problems but he laid the blame at the match officials. He said: “We encourage our players to tackle hard. The two yellow cards we got were a bit harsh. In fact De Le Salle’s sin bin was also a bit severe. It was not warranted at all and their player was very unlucky to say the least.

“As for our two, I did not think that either two merited time in the bin. Stephen Duffy was bemused by his card and that put us under pressure in the latter stages. I have had my knuckles wrapped for speaking out against referees so I am not going to go into detail.”

City have a weeks’ break before travelling to Thomond in Limerick in ten days time. Asked if this break came at the right or wrong time Bevan said: “We will be glad of the break. It gives us a week to reassess and build on a few components ahead of our trip to Thomond.It will also give those recovering from injury a chance to get involved.”

Bevan is hopeful that the time off will allow Stephen Ferguson to recover from a shoulder injury sustained in last weeks fixture and that Bob McKillop will be given the go ahead by the medical team as well.