2010-10-30 / Greystones / AIL Away:
Coleraine RFC 6pts City of Derry RFC 19pts
This North West derby in Division 1 of the Ulster Qualifying was played in atrocious weather conditions at Sandal Lodge Road Coleraine on Saturday last. Coleraine without a win at home this season were anxious to give the home support something to shout about. City of Derry on the other hand would have expectations of another bonus point victory having defeated the Bannsiders 62pts to 10pts in Derry five weeks ago.
Coleraine had the advantage of the strong wind and driving rain in the first half and were anxious to but points on the board as soon as possible. Coleraine started with great gusto and got stuck into Derry from the start and had the better of the early exchanges. Coleraine had a penalty chance early which was kickable but missed.
The Coleraine half back partnership of scrum half Paul Roxborough and out half Archie Kettyle were a constant thorn in Derry’s side using the weather conditions and experience to allow little room around the fringes and frustrate the Derry forwards. However, on seventeen minutes Coleraine had their first player sin binned and this allowed Derry to gain a modicum of possession. The Derry pack produced some pressure to get to the Coleraine 22 metre line, Andrew Semple found Richard McCarter who produced a cross field kick to find No 8 Colin Mitchell on the wing who fielded and scored in the corner.
Coleraine came straight back at Derry and after a charge down Derry were penalised and former City of Derry player out half Archie Kettyle converted from 20 metres to reduce Coleraine arrears to two points. The final score of the first half went to Coleraine when pressure forced Derry to concede a penalty in their 22 which Kettyle slotted over to give his team a 6-5 half time lead.
Derry had the elements on their favor for the second half and an easy victory looked the obvious outcome. Three early penalties conceded by Coleraine following Derry pressure confirmed the expectation of the Derry supporters. But the decision making by Derry not to take easy points and the lead and either run, scrum or kick for touch their penalties eventually led to anxiety to score.
The Coleraine full back Nicky Blair was concussed and play was then held up for some time. The game entered the final 20 minutes with Coleraine still leading by a single point. The Coleraine pack tackled everything that moved with Steven Dickie, Denis Taylor, Bootsie Butugan and Conor Smyth outstanding. Coleraine had a penalty opportunity drop short and then weather conditions improved some and Derry found their stride, McCarter gave them the lead with a penalty
Arckie Kettyle was sin binned and McCarter extended Derry’s lead to 11-6. Four minutes later after a strong run by winger Rudi Moore and the home team were again penalised at the breakdown and McCarter converted his third penalty. The result was a forgone conclusion at this stage.
The Coleraine scrum half Paul Roxborough became their third player to be sin binned and in the dying minutes of the game as Coleraine were out on their feet with exhaustion, Derry wing forward Carl Gemmel broke from half way and made ground, before passing to centre Josh Lewis who scored wide our to give Derry a victory that they made very difficult work of. City of Derry now play Seapoint Rugby Club from Dublin away next Saturday in the first round of the AIB All Ireland Junior Cup. Derry are running a bus to Dublin anyone wishing to travel contact the Club.
City of Derry Team: Peter Henderson, Rudi Moore David Founston, Josh Lewis, Ryan Campbell, Richard McCarter, Andrew Semple, Carl Gemmell, Stephen Stephen Corr, Colin Mitchell, Bob McKillop, Philip Brady, Sam Duffy, Sam McAuley, David Witherow. Replacements: Jason Mitchell, Stephen Simms.
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