Judges Road Seconds into Crawford Final again

City of Derry II...43CIYMS II...20

THREE tries in quick succession ten minutes into the second half ensured holders Derry would be on their way to Ravenhill.

City of Derry II's will play in the Crawford Cup Final on Easter Tuesday.

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In a semi-final the home side could have decided by half time, CIYMS IIs produced a magnificent defensive performance to keep Derry at bay. Derry got the scoreboard ticking over on four minutes when fullback Richard Peoples knocked over a penalty from 30 metres. Church of Ireland Young Men's Society hit back on ten minutes.

Against the run of play, from a turnover on their 22 the ball was moved quickly left for O'Donnell to sprint the Derry defence and touch down. Derry kept the pressure and tempo up and came close to scoring through Boyle and Moore.

The City of Derry pressure paid off with a try. From a line out five yards out the pack drove and second row Stephen Duffy got the touchdown. Their next try came on 27 minutes when Captain Mike Ryan was on the end of a drive from a line out. The visitors finished the half with a long range penalty to leave the scores 15-10 going into half time.

Derry started the second half strongly and scored their fourth try on 51 minutes. Duffy took a pass off second row Adam McDuff 30 metres out to sprint over. Richard Peoples added the next try eight minutes later. Good carries from McIvor and Glenn the visitors were stretched to allow the big fullback to touch down.

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The City of Derry management rung the changes, Peoples moved to outhalf and U19 player Ryan Elliott slotted in at fullback. On 63 minutes good work by number eight Brian Prue put Adam Bratton in from thirty metres and the young centre touched down.

The visitors were not giving up easily and from a quick ruck on the Derry 22, Armstrong was able to barge over for CIYMS. At 36-15 Derry took the foot off the gas and allowed CI to score wide out on 80 minutes.

Derry had the final say when big winger Ruidi Moore burst the line from the 22 to score and finish the game as a contest. City of Derry IIs qualified for the Crawford Cup Final with a scoreline of 43-20.

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