Annual Huey McIvor game another success

RECENTLY the combined players of City of Derry and Londonderry YM Rugby Football Clubs took to the pitch against the Ulster Perennials to commemorate their old friends Marty McIvor and Jim Huey.

Played in glorious sun shine, this is always a good day with the skill levels of the assembled players at the upper levels of club rugby, but the fitness levels not maybe just as elevated!

The local side had a few "debutants" amongst their midst in the form of Robbie Miller and Marshall Kilgore, both of whom had good games.

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It was the Derry/YM team who got off to the best start and the first 20 minutes were played at a frenetic pace. Out-half Orr showed he has lost none of his skill levels anyway and ran some very good, short, lines.

Tootie Kilgore showed that he had not forgotten how to pass and was only heard to offer one "sorry" ball to his halfback partner. Youngster Robbie Miller was his usual quite unassuming self and was well and truly emptied by Black of the Perennials running a hard line round the front of the lineout.

The same player again put in a massive tackle on the onrushing Miller at a close ruck! The first period of play came to a close with a wheeze and the local team leading by two tries to nil.

Fresh legs were introduced by the locals and this had the desired effect and the visitors were able to get in to the game more scoring a couple of tries of their own.

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The combined team, after an injury to Kenny Donaghey's shorts requiring 120 stitches, managed to get another couple of scores on the board through the hard working Stewart and a great arching run from Kilgore out wide.

The third half started with the visitors pressing hard through Stuart Porter and Paul Sandford who both got on the scoresheet after some good surging runs. The local men were not finished, however and the hard working Mark Nicholl got over for a good score before the YM'S Davy Burke completed the scoring for the home sides.

The visitors kept up the pressure and drew close with another try but the final whistle led to the home teams scraping through by the closest of margins, some say it was 6 tries to 5 and others 7 tries to 5. The issue may be sorted out when the video analysis is done later in the week!

The game is always used to help raise much needed funds for the local Coronary Care Unit at Altnagelvin Hospital and to date over 500 has been raised, thanks to all who donated.

A special word of thanks to both the McIvor and Huey families who as usual all turned out and supported the event once again.

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