Seconds secure big win

In perfect conditions it only took the home team 2 minutes to break down the students defence. Out half Richard Peoples made a fine break and fed the ball to Steven Duffy, Duffy was held up short of the line and following a series of quick rucks scrumhalf Roger McCracken dived over for a try.

The second try came 10 minutes later when Peoples, who controlled the game from 10, threw a perfect miss pass to Paddy Blennerhasset. The centre didn’t have to break his stride, took the pass and touched down for a try which Peoples converted.

Peoples added a try of his own following good drives from Witherow and McKillop which he also converted before he and Blennerhasset linked again for the centres second try, again Peoples added the conversion.

On 30 minutes a superb break by Davy Graham took play deep into the Queens 22 and from the ensuing ruck Jonny Lyons picked and was driven over by the pack for a try. Peoples converted.

Centre Blennerhasset completed his hat trick of trys on the stroke of halftime, again the ever reliable Peoples added the extras to give Derry a 40-0 half-time lead.

Unfortunately for the students the second half started as the first ended with the Derry pack totally in control of all aspects of play and they provided quick ball for the backs who attacked at every opportunity.

Some big carries from Ferguson, Witherow and ex 1st XV captain McKilliop, who had an outstanding game at no 8, led to Derry adding three more quick tries, two converted by out half Peoples to increase their lead to 59-0.

At this stage Derry took their foot of the pedal and some poor tackling allowed the students in for two converted scores.

Beneath the posts while waiting for the conversion McKillop and Balfour rallied the team and from the restart, when Queen’s again tried to attack, a long miss pass was intercepted by winger Steven Brennan who ran in from 45 metres for a try.

Derry rounded off the scoring with the last move of the game when fullback Phil Duffy crossed for his 3rd try, the addition of the conversion brought the final score to 71-14.

The Derry pack laid the foundation for the win dominating the set pieces but especially in loose play where the experience and guile of Witherow and McKillop complimented the youthful vigour of Ross Harkin, who had his best game in a Derry shirt, Lyons and Ferguson who carried well and made a number of big tackles.

Second row James Fawcett along with Jonny Lyons took some great ball at the line out and he, along with flanker Steven Duffy worked tirelessly around the park for the 80 minutes.

Scrum half Roger McCracken kept his pack moving and Richard Peoples orchestrated play from 10, setting the backline in motion where man of the match Davy Graham and Paddy Blennerhasset combined well in the centre.

This Saturday, the Seconds travel to Randalstown in the first round of the Junior Cup.