Powerful patient display wins it for Ladies

Derry started the brighter getting onto the front foot immediately and with leaders in the forwards such as vice-captain Kelly Gormley tackling her heart out, it most definitely set the tone for the day.

However against the run of play and as a result of a poor defensive clearance kick Sligo moved the ball quickly through the backs to score a try and conversion on 10 minutes.

It was during this frantic period that Derry and Ulster centre Stacey Sloan went of injured.

However the strength in depth is such that on her competitive debut Shannon Dunne did not look out of place on the rugby field.

Shannon is better known locally for her soccer skills.

Good pressure from the Derry pack with strong running from Julie Pollock, Orlaith Phelan and Lizzie Ballantine who were breaking tackles and consistently making life very difficult for Sligo created the opportunity for Derry’s first score.

Ciara Moore from full back carved her way through a crowd of players to finish a very well deserved try.

Derry who were now starting to dominate the breakdown turned defence into attack.

A scrum 18 metres out from Sligo’s posts saw Derry hooker Jamie Simpson supported by props Cheryl Laverty and Shannon Heap take a strike against the head.

This gave number 8 Michelle McLaughlin the opportunity to sprint to the line and score.

Half time ended with the home side narrowly leading 10-7.

The second period began with Derry Ladies continually pressurising and attacking Sligo.

The backline led by Captain Kelly Holmes and spurred on by number 9 Julie Simpson started to show invention and creativity.

Jenny Cregan, Claire Anderson and Sarah Ward were alive to danger and full of running.

However it was the forward dominance of Derry that led to the next score.

An inspired substitution by Head Coach Rodney Balfour early in the second half brought on Meritta Gordon on her birthday and with her first touch of the ball picked up and powered over from a five metre scrum.

The Derry substitutions made a huge impact in the game throughout the encounter.

The likes of Claire McGill, and Olivia Jones in the forwards acquitted themselves extremely well, Olivia also on her debut put in a solid performance.

The Derry dominance was again rewarded after the packs were twice held up over the line however Cheryl Laverty was unstoppable from close range on the third attempt.

Derry’s final try was worth waiting for as they produced another good move.

A scrum deep in one corner saw a sweeping move from one side of the pitch to the other and with good angles of running and sympathetic passing allowed Robyn Canterall to get the just reward for coming from the right wing and score in the left corner.

Sligo had the final say in the game with a time up they managed to score a late consolation try. Leaving the final score 25-12.

Ladies next competitive fixtures are in January when they will embark on the Ulster Senior Cup.

Training continues every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm at Judges Road, Under 18 girls also training from 7-8pm on a Tuesday.