If ever there was a game of two halfs, this was it, as Foyle romped into a 24 – 3 half time lead only for Dalriada to stage a second half fightback. The home side held on  to win the game by 24 points to 15.

Dalriada’s big pack dominated the opening minutes of the game but after a brief excursion into the Foyle half the home side took control and ran in four first half tries.

First on the score board was winger Michael Lyons for a try converted by Chris Campbell to give the home side a 7 – 0 lead.

With impressive half back pairing Ian Vance and Matthew Gillespie calling the shots the home side were quick to press home their advantage with the feisty Vance going over for their second try. The conversion was missed leaving the score at 12 – 0.

Dalriada eventually troubled the score board with a penalty from full back John Laughlin but with Foyle’s back row of Chris Campbell, Lee McClements and Tom Burns dominating the breakdown it wasn’t long before Lyons was sent clear for his second try pushing the score along to 17 – 3.

Dalriada looked completely out of sorts and slipped off too many tackles throughout the first half an it was no surprise when centre Jack Arthur burst through a slack defence to score the home sides fourth try. Campbell converted taking the half time score to 24 – 3 with a big win looking on the cards.

The Ballymoney side were given a bit of a roasting at half time and it obviously worked as they  managed to improve every aspect of their performance. Tackles were made, passes stuck, and after a period of sustained pressure on the Foyle line Dalriada’s hooker Tom Proctor forced his way over for a deserved try. The conversion was missed leaving the score at 24 – 8.

The remainder of the game was highly competitive with both defences putting in strong displays and numerous crunching tackles. Dalriada’s Andrew Skelton found his way to the line after pressure from an attacking line out and with Laughlin adding the extras to take the score to 24 – 15 it was game on.

The visitors pushed hard for the remainder of the game and when Foyle’s hugely impressive McClements was yellow carded with ten minutes to go the Ballymoney side sniffed a chance. However, Foyle kept their composure over the closing minutes and managed to hold on for a deserved 24 – 15 win.

Foyle now stand a chance of leapfrogging their opponents in the Rugby Rankings Table. Visit here on Wednesday to find out!

Foyle and Londonderry: Owen McGinley, Craig Thompson, Jordan Cairns, Tobias Anderson, Jack Glenn, Chris Campbell, Lee McClements, Tom Burns (C), Ian Vance, Matthew Gillespie, Conor Cummings, Jack Arthur, Neil Burns, Michael Lyons, Graeme, McCarter, Matthew Doak, Thomas Wray.

Dalriada: Sam Kyle, Thomas Proctor, Peter McCully, Chris McKee, Stuart Mulholland, Andrew Skelton, Matthew Glenn, Roger Bonnar (C), Ryan Bickerstaff, Ben Henderson, Johnny Allen, Jonny McLaughlin, Jonny McMullan, Jack Finnerty, John Laughlin, John Allen, Euan Strang