Students next up for Derry

Mark Nicholl’s side had a convincing 52-17 win over Instonians last Saturday, to keep their fantastic start to the season going.

They have also had victories this season in the Ulster League against Ards at home and Rainey and Malone away. They are now three points clear at the top of the league and remain the only team unbeaten with all teams having played four games.

Queens suffered their first defeat of the season on Saturday when they went down narrowly 16-13 at home to Dungannon.

They had already clocked up three victories against Rainey, Armagh and Instonians whom they defeated away.

The Students have had a big turn over of players this season due to completing their courses and they have lost twelve of their first team squad in the process.

City of Derry and Queens last played one another in All Ireland League Division 2A on the final day of the season in April. Queens came out 32-14 victorious on that occasion when the students had a chance of winning promotion if Malone were beaten in their fixture against Seapoint which Malone won.

City of Derry and Queens fixtures have been tight affairs over the last couple of years and another close encounter can be expected on Saturday once more.

Queens will have former City of Derry player Ritchie McMaster at out half, Richie was involved with the Ulster Ravens last Friday when he started as a late replacement for Niall O’Connor.

Richie kicked three early penalties to give the Ravens a 9-0 lead but Munster A came back with two late tries to turn over a 12 points deficit to win 19-17.

Ritchie played in that game alongside the late Nevin Spence who with his brother Graham and father Noel died so tragically last Saturday. The whole rugby community have been shocked by their deaths and offer their condolences to the family.

City of Derry Squad: Chris Shields, Paul McFeely, Steven Jefferson, David Ferguson, Cathal Creggan, Sam McAuley, Stephen Duffy, Gareth Beattie, David Houston, James Fawcett, Chris Cooper, Brian Prue, Adam Bratton, Tom Patton, Richard Baird, Ross Scott, Stephen Corr, Jack Caithness, Andrew Semple, Richard Peoples, Adam Parke, David Graham, Richard McCarter, Simon Logue, Ryan Campbell, David Funston, Josh Lewis, William McCleery, Chris Barber, Peter Henderson.