 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
| |
COD Ladies v Carrick
On Sunday City of Derry Ladies entertained Carrick at Judges Road, and in wet blustery conditions, emerged winners 36-0.
The Ladies hadn’t played a game since November and were a little rusty to start but after the first 10 minutes the Derry pack totally dominated Carrick for the rest of the game particularily in the scrums.
Derry played with the wind in the first half and after a shakey first 5 minutes their nerves were settled when, after good work by the pack, scrumhalf Noreen Nethercott dived over for a try which was converted by Rachael Lennox.
In the windy conditions the handling of the Derry backs was excellent and, after further pressure, the ball was moved along the backs and Grainne Crabtree went over beside the posts for a try which Rachael again converted.
Derry missed a couple of further try scoring opportunities before Hooker Stacey Lee Jackson crosssed for a score which was again converted by out half Rachael Lennox.
Just before half time the Derry forwards took play to the Carrick 22, Noreen fed Rachel who played a good tactical kick for the corner and Irish Squad member Clodagh McCool showed great pace to beat the cover defence to score in the corner to leave the half time score 26-0 for Derry.
Although playing into a strong wind in the second half Derry continued to dominate and when under pressure the defence was solid.
Some superb handling by the backs almost resulted in a couple more tries except for last ditch tackling by the Carrick defence.
Derry eventually wore down the Carrick defence with some excellent passages of play and prop Lizzy Ballantine scored an unconverted try.
The final score of the game came when centre Grainne Crabtree followed her own kick ahead and put in a superb tackle on the Carrick full back who dropped the ball. Carrick tried to kick to touch but full back Karen Cavennagh fielded the ball 35 metres from the Carrick line and outpaced the defence to score a well deserved try.
On a day when the Derry pack were totally dominant its hard to single anyone out but flanker Kerri McLaughlin had a superb game, covering a lot of ground, carrying well and her tackle count was immense. Mairead Crabtree put in some big hits and props Deirdre and Lizzy destroyed their opposite numbers.
In the backs Ulster scrum half Noreen Nethercott had another great game trying in the Carrick back row with good sniping runs and her service to the backs was excellent.
Rachael Lennox kicked well and in the backline Teresa Dunn and Grainne Crabtree linked well in the centre and made some great breaks.
One of the most pleasing aspects of the game was the defence which was excellent throughout and kept Carrick from scoring.
This was an great all round performance which will give the coaches a solid platform to work from.
With league and cup games over the next few weeks, its important to have everyone at trainning to build on this great start to 2009. |
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
|
