Derry move into pole position

CITY of Derry scored a convincing win over Enniskillen at Judges Road on Tuesday night when they scored seven try's to go top of the Kukri Qualifying League on their own for the first time this season.

Bevan Lynch's men have now played one game more that the close rivals Armagh in their quest to regain the league title and are five point clear at the top of the table.

The first half belonged to City of Derry with the majority of possession but in their over eagerness to score the requisite four try's for a bonus point win they squandered many opportunities.

Derry were ahead on five minutes with a try from young scrum half Simon Logue converted by Mark O'Connor. Enniskillen leveled the scores at seven points each on ten minutes with a try from John Courtney converted by Gary Hall.

The Judges Road men had Josh Lewis coming back from injury on the wing and he showed a hunger for the ball that had Enniskillen in trouble whenever he got the opportunity. Derry regained the lead on twenty two minutes when No 8 Stephen Corr picked from a scrum and scored a try converted by O'Connor to give his team a 14-7 lead which they carried to the half time whistle.

The second half was all about Derry and fullback Peter Henderson started the rout with a try on five minutes converted by O'Connor. Enniskillen replied with two penalties from Sam Hall but in between Derry centre Jarred Bennett made a line break to score the fourth try converted by O'Connor for a 28-13 lead.

Jason Mitchell came on as sub and scored an unconverted try on thirty three minutes and two minutes later Philip Brady returning from injury scored the try of the game with a forty metre break which was unconverted.

Mark Walker completed the scoring with a try out of the top drawer on thirty seven minutes after a flowing movement that saw the ball go through seven players hands. O'Connor converted to give Derry a victory that coach Bevan Lynch was not completely happy with.

He felt his team did not perform to the optimum of their potential and wasted many opportunities by over elaborating.

Derry's next game is at home on Saturday against Limavady (KO 2.30pm).

City of Derry: Chris Shields, Cathal Cregan, Sam Duffy, Brian Prue, Philip Brady, David Houston, Mark Walker, Stephen Corr, Simon Logue, Mark O'Connor, Josh Lewis, Jared Bennett, David Founston, Ryan Campbell, Peter Henderson. Replacements: Jason Mitchell, Richard McCarter.