Malone claim back to back wins against City of Derry

Match report by George Millar

Malone completed back to back wins against City of Derry when the 1st xv travelled to Judges Road for their Ulster league match. With both teams looking a positive performance prior to the commencement of the Ulster Bank All Ireland League; it was the Gibson Park side who prevailed scoring ten tries in another strong performance.
Malone Head coach Paddy Armstrong continued his policy of rotating his squad by making a number of changes to his twenty that convincingly defeated City of Derry 47 – 3 at home in the First Trust Senior Cup. Ulster players: Jack Owens came in at full back and Callum Smith at out half with former Belfast Harlequin and current Ulster Academy prop Peter Cooper making his debut for the “White Sox” in the front row. Other changes included Jack McMurtry, Ben Halliday, Chris Griffiths, Ricky Greenwood coming into the starting twenty.

Malone opened the scoring in the first minute with centre Nathan Brown scoring a try. Further scores came from Michael Cartmill, Peter Cooper and Captain Ross Todd with Callum Smith converting four for Malone to open up a 28 – 0 lead after 25 minutes. City of Derry did respond with right winger Connor Cummings scoring an unconverted try. On the halftime whistle Malone increased their lead to 33 – 5 with a second try for Ross Todd.

Malone maintained their strangle hold on the game in the second half with five further tries through Dave Cave, Michael Shiels, Jack McMurtry, with prop Peter Cooper adding his second. Replacement scrum half Connor Spence completed the scoring with the teams 10th try with Callum Smith converting 3/5 to leave the final score 64 – 5 in favour of the Belfast visitors.

Both teams open their AIL campaign next Saturday with away matches as Malone travel to Tipperary to play Nenagh Ormond and City of Derry travel to the Aviva stadium in Dublin to play Wanderers.