Ladies back to winning ways

CITY of Derry Ladies kept their league title challenge on track with a nail biting 14-10 away win to fellow contenders Portlaoise in front of the Irish selectors.

Straight from the kick-off Derry had their opponents under pressure with strong driving runs from the forwards which kept Portlaoise pinned inside their '22'.

Derry continued to exert pressure for the next 15 minutes but the home side defended well and kept their line intact, although Derry had crossed once but were unable to ground the ball.

After 20 minutes Derry's hard tackling centre Kelly Holmes, who is having a wonderful season had to leave the field with a hip injury. The back-line was duly re-shuffled and Suzie Tinney came on at full-back.

On their first trip into the Derry half Portlaoise were awarded a penalty which was converted to give them a 3-0 lead.

Following the re-start, a quality series of mauls allowed scrum half Noreen Nethercott to break free and have the line at her mercy when the referee called play back to award Derry a scrum.

Derry continued to press and on 33 minutes, when 'Laoise were penalised for a high tackle, Rachel Lennox slotted the penalty to tie the scores. Three minutes later another infringement allowed Lennox to give Derry a well-deserved 6-3 lead with her second penalty.

With half-time approaching Portlaoise broke from their own half and Irish International Alison Miller broke through and scored a try beneath the posts which was converted to give the home side a 10-6 half time lead.

The second half was a closely contested affair with both having their share of attacks but both defences holding fast. With 15 minutes remaining Derry were camped inside the Portlaoise '22'.

The home side, under fierce pressure, conceded a series of penalties but Derry demonstrated their intent and chose to take the scrum. From the fourth scrum, birthday girl Miss Nethercott scampered over to touch down and give Derry a much-deserved 11-10 lead.

The intensity increased and both sides pressed for the win but, with just over a minute remaining, Portlaoise conceded a penalty 20 metres out after the strong-running lock Kylie Boyle had made good ground. Lennox coolly slotted the kick to give Derry a four point advantage meaning Portlaoise needed to score a try straight from the restart to win the game.

From the kick-off the Derry pack took control of the ball and 'ran down the clock' until another infringement by Portlaoise brought this nail biting game to a conclusion.

The Derry pack set the platform for the win with strong runs from Grainne, Elena, Kylie and Kerri Shaw who was making her first appearance in a green shirt.

Harriet Gibson, returning to the team, made some storming runs in the centre and her tackling along with the impressive Bridin McDermott gave Irish International Allison Miller few chances.

Another bonus for Derry was the return of Suzie Tinney, who was commanding and added another dimension at the back.

Coach James Doherty and injured captain Di Nixon both agreed that the girls showed great attitude and character to come from behind twice to emerge victorious in what was a 'must win' game to keep the title push on track.