Ladies book final spot

CITY of Derry Ladies secured an All Ireland Plate final spot following their 15-12 victory over First Division side Old Belvedere, at Judges Road, on Sunday. In a hotly contested game Derry proved they have the ability to play against the best sides in Ireland and this result, alongside the earlier victory against Cooke, will raise confidence in this young side who were missing International hooker, Stacey-Lea Kennedy who was on international duty this weekend. Derry opened the scoring on five minutes when, following a five metre scrum, captain Di Nixon picked and fed scrum half Fundi Plaatjie. The no 9 showed great strength and a good hand off to score an unconverted try. In cold, wet conditions the two teams fought out a forward battle for most of the rest of the half before Derry increased their lead. Following good driving by the pack Derry attacked the Belvo line but a knock on gave the visitors a scrum on their 22. The ball bobbled out at the flanker’s feet and Derry scrum half Fundi reacted quickest to pick up the ball and scamper in for her second try on 30 minutes to increase Derry’s lead to 10-0. Indeed the home side had the opportunity to score twice more before half-time but great defence from Old Belvedere held the attacking players up over the line to prevent a score. The second half started with Belvo on the attack and, following a line out, second row Julie Ann Stack scored a try for the visitors to bring them back into the game. Both teams tried to play attacking rugby in the cold conditions and great defence by both teams prevented any more scoring until deep into the half. Derry had a period of sustained pressure where Belvo conceded a number of penalties close to their line. Derry opted for a scrum from one of these and almost crossed the line but Belvedere conceded another penalty. Derry no 9 Fundi took it quickly and fed South African captain Mandisa Williams who powered her way over for a try to increase the lead to 10 points meaning Belvo had to score at least twice. Old Belvedere showed why they play in the First Division and pressurised Derry trying for a score. The score eventually came with the last play of the game when Julie Ann Stack crossed for her second try which was converted by out half Elaine Conalan but Derry had held out to win 15-12. It is difficult to single anyone out in a good defensive performance but wingers Andrea Shepherd and Natasha Milligan tackled well as did forwards Julie Simpson, Gemma Lynch and Kelly Gormley, who had another solid game at hooker. In attack, prop Julie Newton had a few storming runs along with Plaatjie and Williams.