Still undefeated

A plucky City of Derry team did not go down without a fight, but were quite unable to prevent the Tigers recording another convincing 64-0 win.

On wet days and muddy grounds, much depends on the forwards. They have to secure the ball and if it is lost, get it back. In this match, every forward proved up to the task. They got the better of the scrums and lineouts.

The backs, ably controlled by Adam Harrison and Jonny Hunter, showed themselves willing to break away, to sling the ball about, and to puncture the Derry defence at every opportunity, often with devastating effect. They frequently set off running moves in which the ball passed rapidly out to the wings and sometimes back in, allowing the likes of Michael Watson or Cormac Sheehy to speed away pursued by despairing Derry players who simply could not catch them.

Although the Tigers have a somewhat disconcerting habit of losing the ball more often than they should, they are extremely efficient at getting it back.

When Derry tried to set up running moves the Tigers were on to them so quickly they seldom make any ground and indeed often lost ground as they passed further back.

Throughout this match the Tigers defence was absolutely solid, forwards and backs alike, and despite their best efforts Derry never looked like scoring. So, after eleven league matches, the Tigers Under 13 A team stands unbeaten. So far, no team in their league has come close to beating them. It is hoped that the one outstanding game, against Carrick away, will be played sometime over the next few weeks, to complete the full league schedule.

Scorers : M Watson 6, C Sheehy 2, J Hunter 1, M Cizauskas 1, S Wilson 1, R Emerson 1: Conversions : J Hunter 2.