Crawford Cup book their spot in quarters

HOLDERS City of Derry Seconds made it to the quarter finals of the Crawford Cup in a hard fought match at Dungannon Thirds on Saturday.

The home side made life difficult for Derry and led going into the final quarter. City of Derry finally took control of the game with a try from Mike Ryan, another from Donnell and solid kicking from Peoples.

Dungannon set their stall out early and attacked from the whistle. The early pressure paid off when flanker Andrew Kido burst through slack Derry defending to score on ten minutes.

This shook the visitors into life and they began to dominate. Prue and Ryan won good ball from the lineout and outhalf Nick Donnell moved the ball quickly left and right.

Derry drew level on fifteen minutes when Gary Boyle crashed over. From a lineout drive the ball went through the phases for Boyle to score.

The visitors moved ahead six minutes later after a break by right winger Inglis fifty metres out. Play was carried on by no 8 Brian Prue who popped inside for prop Chris Sheilds to score in the corner.

Dungannon responded with a penalty from hooker Colm Heaney just before the break to leave it 10-8 in favour of Derry.

The home side started the second half much the same as the first and took the lead on 51 minutes. From a scrum on half way Dungannon moved the ball quickly left. When recycled, centre Chris Williamson found a gaping hole in the Derry defence to sprint through and score.

Derry rallied again. When fullback Peoples kicked a penalty to the corner the pack drove the resulting lineout with skipper Mike Ryan claiming the try. Peoples converted with a fantastic touchline kick to move Derry two points in front. The same player added a penalty 5 minutes later with the visitors scoring their fourth try on 64 minutes.

From a scrum thirty yards out Derry moved the ball right and big winger Inglis outpaced the cover to pass inside to supporting outhalf Donnell to dot down. Dungannon hit back and from a penalty kick attempt on 71 minutes the ball came back off the post which the home side gathered and moved quickly left for winger Conor Willis to score in the corner.

Dungannon went in search of the winning score but resolute Derry defence kept them out and the visitors were relieved to hear the final whistle.