Virginia RFC U14s warm up nicely for challenges ahead
Virginia RFC U14s had no league fixtures this weekend so went in search of a tough challenge before welcoming their fiercest rivals from last season, Carrickfergus RFC, next weekend. Last years Leinster League winners Boyne RFC travelled to the Deerpark for a reverse fixture of the 17-17 friendly played at the beginning of the current season.
Once again the weather gods were in their favour giving a dry bright Sunday morning, but it was Boyne who struck first, as they turned early Virginia pressure to their advantage. They capitalised on a fumble out wide and exposed a sleepy Virginia defence to score a converted try and take a 7-0 lead. The home side however were confident they could regain dominance, and their forwards soon turned the screw with another strong performance in the set piece, with John Smyth, Jake Sullivan, and Killian Collins on top at scrum time, and a dominance of the breakdown by Adrian Lynch, Jamie Osbourne, and Robert Lochaden. When Boyne did have possession, the Virginia backs forgot their earlier lapse, and snuffed out any Boyne attacks with aggressive defence led by Ryan Kennedy, David Gibney and Jack Vaughan. Their attack was orchestrated by out halves Jason Henderson and Adam Charters, keeping the Boyne defence guessing as to Virginia intent, but it was forward power that told in the end. A quick response by Cai Walker, followed by a a tenacious try from Michael McKeon-Boyle, both converted by Aaron Mannion meant they led 14-7 at the break.
The hosts started the 2nd half on fire, with a powerful run by Cai from his own half extending the lead. Virginia then changed tack, and started to look for some width in attack. Adam Sherriff, on at Scrum Half, got the ball away quickly looking to get the backs running. First John Dolan found himself in space, but he was caught on this occassion, before powerful running by Paddy Gordon saw him go over the tryline twice, two more conversions from Aaron giving the home side a 33-7 lead. Boyne were now playing for pride and went after a consolation try of their own. Replacements Callum Finane and James Smith continued with the good work by the forwards, but another lapse in the loose meant that Boyne went over with the last play, final score 33-12 to Virginia.
Virginia RFC U13s give impressive display v Longford
Virginia RFC U13s were also in action today, welcoming Longford RFC to the Deerpark for a friendly, as they geared up for the visit of Civil Service RFC next weekend.
As with their older team mates they were suckered by an early score, soon finding themselves 5-0 behind after a loose pass in their own twenty-two. But again like their U14 peers they gathered themselves and gave a great display of running rugby, with both the backs and forwards heavily involved. Conor Nulty was the first to get on the scoresheet after a fantastic individual run, Jake White-Duffys conversion putting Virginia into the lead. This was soon followed by some great handling by the backs, with Malachy Walker quick to get the ball out to Jake, and Luke Doyle, Cormac Monaghan and Ciaran Levy-Valensi all running and timing their passes to perfection. Mark Gibney quickly added two trys, before another attack saw Conor go over for his second, Marks conversion giving the home side a 24-5 lead. They still weren’t done though as Cormac O’Reilly touched down with the last move of the half to make it 29-5 at the break.
The second half was a much tighter affair as Longford looked to fight their way back into contention. Virginia defence though was to hold firm, with the forwards putting their bodies on the line to hold them out. Thomas Sheridan and Darren Kavanagh anchored the scrum superbly, and some great tackles by Nathan Tobin, Eli Caffrey and Cathal O’Reilly meant Longfords efforts were in vain. Towards the end the home side again worked their way into opposition territory, and powerful runs from Luke Morris and Harry McQuade were repelled before Donal Maguire forced his way over in the corner to make the final score 34-5 to Virginia.
