Thirds win topof the table clash

SIX games into the season City of Derry III and Carrickfergus III sat top of Section Four of the Ulster Junior League, when they met on Saturday.

Both teams were looking forward to this top of the league clash. Despite heavy rain overnight and all morning the pitch was in excellent condition and the wind and rain subsided for the entire match.

Carrickfergus started well as their forwards drove well in the loose and looked like being the more dominant pack.

Both teams played hard enthuastic rugby and it was Carrickfergus who opened the scoring on 11 minutes after winning a scrum against the head, their forwards driving from the half way to the City of Derry 20 metre line before feeding the ball out to Neil Sowling to go over in the corner.

A few minutes later City of Derry secured a penalty. Philip Duffy took a quick penalty and ran the length of the pitch but was stopped short and Carrickfergus cleared their line.

City of Derry forwards came back with some impressive driving and Stephen Duffy broke through to score to level the score at 5-5.

Shortly after the kick off the City of Derry full back Adam Blair ran out of defence to feed to Philip Duffy who progressed to the Carrickfergus 20 metre line.

After six forward drives the ball was fed out for Philip Duffy to score giving City of Derry a 10-5 lead at half-time.

The first half gave City of Derry the better of the line outs while scrums and forward loose play was equal.

City of Derry at times gave possession away with knock ons while Carrickfergus failed to make use of their own line outs. At this stage the game could have gone any way.

Carrickfergus started the second half well attacking the City of Derry line but Derry held out and managed to break away and after some excellent passing Jonny Lyons went over behind the posts.

Chris Dixon converted to give City of Derry a 17-5 lead.

From the kick off City of Derry ran the ball up to the Carrickfergus line but Carrickfergus defended well. A penalty to Carrickfergus allowed them to progress to the City of Derry 20 metre line.

A good scrum by Carrickfergus followed by several driving mauls by their forwards eventually lead to Chris Brazer going over to reduce the score to 17-10 for City of Derry.

Carrickfergus pressed for the next period of play but City of Derry was able to clear their line.

Carrickfergus won a line out allowing their forwards to drive through but gave away a penalty allowing City of Derry to recover.

A good drive by the City of Derry forwards to the half way line preceded a City of Derry penalty which Phillip Duffy took quickly and ran 40 metres to score. Chris Dixon converted to give City of Derry a 24-10 lead.

Carrickfergus did not give up and again attacked City of Derry who defended well and Carrickfergus conceded a penalty close to the City of Derry line.

After several forward drives Philip Duffy broke through the Carrickfergus defence to score and give City of Derry a 29-10 lead.

Carrickfergus played to the final whistle and opted to run several penalties but City of Derry defended well and the match ended City of Derry 29 Carrickfergus 10.

Both teams showed considerable ability and enthusiasm right to the end. The Carrickfergus backs showed considerable ability but failed to finish some impressive moves.

Both sets of forwards worked extremely hard with neither team dominating. Man of the match Philip Duffy made the difference with several long piercing runs and an ability to feed the ball to his players.

The Carrickfergus coach commented that although his team played well they allowed City of Derry to take play from them.

City of Derry: Adam Blair, Chris Killen, John Lafferty, Eoin Halliday, Cathal Harkin, Chris Dixon, Philip Duffy. Patrick Owen, Stephen Duffy, Ross Harkin, Leonard Doherty, Leon Rooney, Barney McLaughlin, Jonathan Lyons, Nathan Deeny.

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