McCarter turns on the style

CITY of Derry dismissed Limavady with aplomb when they scored seven tries in their Kukri Qualifying League victory on Saturday at Judges Road.

Derry had the requisite four tries in the bag within ten minutes of the second half which guaranteed their bonus point victory which keeps them on course for a possible play-off with their rivals Armagh to determine who represents Ulster in the All Ireland Round Robin Playoffs to regain senior status.

The conditions on Saturday were conducive to running rugby which was in Derry's favour and with Limavady not having played for three weeks they were always going to be well off the pace against a battle hardened Derry outfit who had played five games in that interim period.

The writing was on the wall for Limavady when they lost their influential out half John Semple just before half-time with an ankle injury which could keep him on the sidelines for the rest of the season.

City of Derry started the game in positive fashion when they were three points up on five minutes courtesy of a penalty from Man of the Match Richard McCarter who was making his comeback after injury.

The home side went further ahead on ten minutes after the young talented winger Simon Logue made the break for McCarter to score a try in the corner. Derry had all the possession but the final pass remained elusive to convert their dominance into numbers on the scoreboard.

McCarter broke the scoring lull for Derry on thirty minutes with a hallmark score when he showed vision to chip the Limavady defence and win the race to touch down under the posts for a try which he converted himself to give his team a fifteen points lead.

Semple reduced the arrears for Limavady just before half time with a penalty before he went off injured to virtually seal his team's faith and guarantee a comfortable Derry victory.

Bevan Lynch's side had scored their third try within five minutes of the restart when impressive full back Peter Henderson made the break to allow Simon Logue to score his second try of the game which McCarter converted.

It was all Derry at this stage and their dominance was rewarded with their fourth try and the bonus point with just ten minutes gone when from a flowing move that involved backs and forwards the outstanding Karl Gemmell was on hand to score an unconverted try.

McCarter got his hat trick after fifteen minutes of the second half when following slick back play, Logue gave the pass for the unconverted try in the corner.

Derry confirmed their superiority when captain Bob McKillop scored under the posts with help from his fellow second row Philip Brady with McCarter adding the conversion.

The try of the game came on thirty five minute when from first phase ball won by Chris Cooper at the line out McCarter found centre Jarred with an exquisite miss pass to slice open the Limavady defence to score under the post for a converted try that sealed an empathic victory for City of Derry.

Coach Bevan Lunch said after the game: "That victory was sweet as and it is a credit to the whole panel of players who have given so much over the last five weeks.

"The other coaches Mark Nicholl and Terry McMaster and I could not have asked of any more dedication from the boys, when you ask the lads to play twice a week and train as well and when you consider nearly half the team are based in Belfast then the time and commitment shows the respect they have for this Club.

"We have only one game left in the league with Dromore at home on Saturday, we hope we can finish the campaign with another victory."

City of Derry: C Shields, S McAuley, S Duffy, Bob McKillop (Capt), Philip Brady, K Gemmell, S Simms, S Corr, A Semple, R McCarter, S Logue, J Bennett, D Funston, J Lewis, S Logue. Replacements: J Mitchell, C Cooper.