Debutant scores hat-trick against former team

New recruit Johnny Kennedy, scored a hat-trick of tries against his old club from the wing position. A special word of thanks goes out to U17 coach Nathan Deeney for travelling with the side as the usual coach had work commitments and could not travel.

The game started brightly and it was not long before the Derry team got on the scoreboard through a well worked move when centre O'Kane crossed for a score, this was converted by outhalf Keys who had a pleasing day with the boot.

The forwards were putting the opposition under pressure and when another ball was moved wide it came to Johnny Kennedy on the wing where he finished well, again this was converted bringing the score to 14-0.

Shortly after this prop Ciaran Allen had to leave the field with a neck and shoulder injury, he was replaced by Rory Gallagher.

The substitution did not affect the flow of the game and the City boys went on to score two more converted tries, Kennedy getting his second and centre Knox getting in on the act. This left the half time score at 28 nil to the visitors.

The second half was not long gone when Derry full back Bratton scored a good try again converted by Keys. It was then after some good interplay by the forwards that flanker Henderson crashed over, this time the kick was missed! A penalty was awarded to the Derry team and the kick was made by keys again to keep the scoreboard moving.

Another injury this time to the home sides prop meant that the scrums went uncontested and from this the game proceeded to get quite scrappy. The visitors gave away a lot of needless penalties which the home side took advantage of and kicked one to get the scoreboard moving.

Again good back play resulted in three more tries, two of which were converted, by Keys, O'Kane for his second and the last to Kennedy to complete his hatrick. With the game over as a contest the city boys were guilty of letting in a score through bad defence and lack of discipline at the tackle area!

All in all it was a pleasing result but the amount of errors and penalties given away was far to high throughout. The new stricter policing of the laws at the breakdown and tackle area have to be worked on and mistakes eradicated to try and stop possession and momentum being given away so cheaply!

The forwards played well and supported each other well, some good runs by the big men led to good go forward ball for the backs which showed with 8 of the 9 tries coming from the back division.

A word of mention has to go to big Killian Doherty who took to the field with a slight injury and played an important part, other forwards who showed well were Crawford, Henderson and skipper Spratt.

It was a day for the backs however and outhalf Keys ruled the back line well and amassed a personal tally of 20 points but the Man of the Match must go to new boy Johnny Kennedy for his hatrick in the unfamiliar position of winger.

With some hard work in training and the right attitude this side can do well this year as long as they can stay injury free! All new players of this age group are welcome to come along any Tuesday and Wednesday night to join in.

Next week the Derry team are at home in the league to Ballymoney, the game will be played as the curtain raiser to the 1st XV first AIL game at home in three seasons so come along at 1pm and give the boys your support.