Relegation looming for City of Derry after Grosvenor defeat

City of Derry 9

Grosvenor 25

City of Derry face relegation to Ulster Rugby's Championship Two following defeat in a must-win game against Grosvenor at Judges Road on Saturday.

The home side knew that everything rested on the outcome of this game but, as has been the case all season long, they lacked the quality and firepower to do damage against Grosvenor, who also had to win this basement battle.  

They now sit 12 points adrift with just five games to go, and barring something of a rugby miracle, City of Derry will slip down another tier of Ulster rugby.

Derry started quite brightly with David Lapsley's 14th minute penalty handing the home side a three point lead but their fragility was on display less than 90 seconds. A poor clearing kick from the restart handed Grosvenor a decent attacking position and one overthrown pass out wide saw Derry caught short and winger Christian Chandler go over in the corner. Out-half Ben Johnston missed the kick but Grosvenor had the lead at 3-5.

Derry's response was positive, Lapsley almost getting in on the right flank before another good break from the centre brought a second penalty, this time in front of the posts, which he again tapped over to edge Murnane's men back in front by a single point at 6-5.

There was nothing between the teams at this stage, Derry winning themselves some decent territory but Grosvenor were winning the battle of the back lines and looked dangerous every time their pack got them possession.

By contrast Derry looked like individuals in attack and disjointed in defence and Grosvenor had the backs to take advantage. They did exactly that on 25 minutes when Jack Breen's pass opened up Derry for Jamie McNeight to score for a narrow 6-10 lead.

And that looked like that until the closing seconds of the half when Grosvenor got away with a blatant knock-on following a superb Stephen Corr tackle to kick forward. Home full back Ciaran Feeney looked to have gathered but he was quickly swamped by the chasing pack with Grosvenor back row Dean Swift somehow dotting the ball down somewhere among the melee.

Johnston missed the difficult conversion but Grosvenor had struck a huge blow and headed into the changing rooms with a nine point lead.

Derry came out in positive mood for the restart, Lapsley's superb 50/22 bringing the position from which Grosvenor's Peter Davidson picked up a yellow card for deliberating knocking on as Derry tried to throw a wide pass.

It should have been the sign for Derry to hurl the kitchen sink at Grosvenor. Instead the home effort fell flat. Lapsley's missed the resulting penalty and while he did add a third only minutes later, it was immediately wiped out by one from Johnston at the opposite end for 9-18.

A needless yellow card with 15 minutes left for home scrum-half Jamie Millar summed up Derry frustrations and the inevitable was confirmed with five minutes remaining when Corr, who was otherwise excellent, saw his pass intercepted by Peter Davidson for a run in try. Johnston's conversion looked wide, but the flags went up, almost as if to rub salt into the wound.

City of Derry: Jordan Burns, Cathal Cregan, Nathan Campbell, Cein McColgan, Tiernan Dillon, Jake McDevitt, Stephen Corr, Ryan Higgins, Jamie Millar, Matthew Orr, Chris Boyd, David Lapsley, David Graham Ben Henderson, Ciaran Feeney. (Replacements ) Tom Cameron, Isaiah Morris, Eoin Coyle.

Grosvenor: Hasan Kaymark, Harry McMeekin, James McMaster, Pete Roberts, Ben Davidson, Michael Baird, Dean Swift, Matthew Logan, Conor Allen, Ben Johnston, Johnny Farquhar, Peter Davidson, Ben Coard, Jamie McNeight, Jack Breen. (Replacements) Andrew Middleton, Christian Chandler, Tom Boyle.

Referee: Henry Richmond