Nicholl’s men cruise to victory in Magherafelt

The Judges Road men scored four trys in each half and were ahead by 24-3 at half-time.

Coming on the back of last weekend’s league victory over Ballymena coaches Mark Nicholl and Ashley Blair will be pleased to be building momentum ahead of the All Ireland League which starts on Saturday, September 28, ironically against Rainey.

The Derry coaches had worked hard all week to try and increase the physicality at the breakdown and in the tackle and with a few big hits early on from Stephen Ferguson, Stephen Corr and Stephen Dickey, Derry set the tone for the afternoon.

However it was Rainey who opened the scoring when out-half Stuart Simpson slotted over a penalty after seven minutes.

Derry though were now firing on all cylinders with a timely return to form of their back line, especially David Funston and Ryan Campbell.

Derry were securing the Lions share of possession and went ahead on 14 minutes following great clearing up work by hooker David Ferguson which led to a midfield break from Man of the Match Dickey who passed to Adam Bratton to score an unconverted try.

It was the quality of Derry’s support play which led to their second try, their outstanding back row of Dickey, Ferguson and Richard Baird exchanging passes to release David Houston to score another unconverted try in the corner after 20 minutes and Derry were ahead 10-3.

Derry’s third try came on the half hour mark and it was straight from the training ground with a well rehearsed line-out move. Impressive hooker David Ferguson found David Houston in the line-out. He passed off the top to Baird who waltzed through a pre-planned space untouched and touched the ball down nonchalantly for a try which was converted by Richard McCarter for a 17-3.

Despite going down to 14 men following a yellow card shown to Jack Caithness on 34 minutes, Derry now were in total control with captain David Funston showing great elusive running through large gaps in the Rainey defence. He found Ryan Campbell, who was playing on the wing, to score a try by the posts. This was converted by McCarter leaving the half time score 24-3.

The second half started as the first half had ended with Derry’s dominance making life difficult for the Rainey players. Simon Logue, who stepped in from the wing to cover at scrum half, darted over for a try after 45 minutes after receiving a pass from Ferguson.

Derry introduced Chris Shields, Paul McFeely and Cathal Cregan into the front row as the second half progressed and they were followed shortly after by Neil Burns and Jack Hargan who entered the fray for their first City Of Derry appearances on 52 minutes.

Things did not improve for Rainey as they lost their tight head prop for 10 minutes to the sin-bin following a offence at the scrum while they also lost ex-Derry youth player Stuart Simpson to a nasty head injury.

Derry’s sixth try came following several phases of play as Funston barged his way over for another try converted by McCarter. Derry’s Stephen Ferguson never failed to get to the gain line all day and it needed at least two defenders each time to stop him.

Derry’s seventh try continued a consistent theme throughout the game. The support play involving prop Paul McFeely and centre Bratton leading to Caithness receiving the final pass to score between the posts.

Derry’s final try came from a moment of individual brilliance by Logue who picked up from the base of the scrum to jink his way through several Rainey defenders to make his way over the line from 50 metres. Rainey scored a consolation try on 73 minutes which saw winger Kyle Moore score in the corner.