Virginia RFC U14s Keep Momentum Going
Virginia RFC U14s finally got 2016 underway when they welcomed Letterkenny RFC to The Deerpark on Saturday. The conditions weren’t great underfoot but the rain finally abated and the match got the go ahead.
The 1st half saw a seven try bonanza for the home side, but built on a solid forward platform at both the set piece, where Jake Sullivan, Killian Collins and John Smyth controlled the scrum, and in the loose where Robert Lochaden and Adrian Lynch secured the ball well. Jason Henderson at scrum half chose wisely when to keep the ball going through the forwards, and when to send it wide. When Letterkenny did have the ball David Gibney tackled well to break up their attack. Two trys from Paddy Gordon sandwiched one apiece from Cai Walker, Niall Carolan, Ryan Kennedy, Aaron Mannion and Adam Charters, all seven converted by Aaron for a 49-0 lead at half time.
Virginia rang the changes at half time and the bench got their opportunity to stake a claim for a starting spot. Callum Finane and John Dolan fitted in well into the pack, continuing the forward dominance. Adam Sherriff took over at scrum half threatening the visitors lines, and Jack Vaughan and Evan Manning were a menace with powerful runs on the wing. Michael McKeon-Boyle powered over for a brace of trys early on, before a beautiful piece of link play by Conor Nulty put Niall over for his second try. Jamie Osbourne rounded things off with a well deserved try, and Aarons return of ten conversions from eleven attempts meant the final score was 75-0. That win makes nine from nine for the season so far, with the lads very much in the hunt to retain their League title.
U14s 2nd XV Give Improved Performance in Donegal
The 2nd XV made the long trip into Donegal to take on Finn Valley RFC in Ballybofey. After last weeks reverse the lads were determined to give a better account of themselves. They conceded four trys in the first half, but a late Jake White-Duffy, converted by himself saw them go into the break 20-7 down. The second half was much more evenly matched despite conceding again early on. Ciaran Levy-Valensi went over in the corner with Cormac Brown converting brilliantly. Two more Finn Valley scores were answered with a fine Billy Burke try and another conversion from Cormac. The hosts had the last word though with a late try of their own to make the final score 45-21. Now with eight wins from eleven games they still remain in the hunt to top the Qualifying League.
Squad was Cathal O’Reilly, Thomas Sheridan, Ryan McGuigan, Donal Maguire, Eli Caffrey, Luke Morris, Harry McQuade, Mark Gibney, Cormac Brown, Jake White-Duffy, Callum Caswell, Billy Burke, Joseph McCabe, Robert Ryan, Ciaran Levy-Valensi, and Cormac Monaghan.
Next week both squads are on the road for key games as the 1st XV travel to Carrickfergus RFC, and the 2nd XV visit Stormont Castle for a game v Civil Service RFC.
Virginia under 16 rugby v Letterkenny under 16
A real team effort from Virginia’s under 16’s side lit up the Deerpark ground last Saturday. Virginia set the tone for the day from early on with forwards and backs playing an impressive band of rugby. Within five minutes Virginia scored in the corner with fullback Gareth Mannion touching down after some fine hands had moved the ball along the line. Virginia were then put under some sustained pressure but resolute defence kept Letterkenny out and from a line out a loose ball was picked up by flanker Charlie Reilly who showed exquisite hands with a strong Bill Williams like off load to flanker Niall Preston who powered all the way to Letterkenny’s line and touched down. Another try followed soon again by Niall Preston following another excellent offload from no 8 Steven Ryan and with Martin O’Connell converting this brought the score to 17-0 to Virginia. Heading towards half time Charlie Reilly broke free from some attempted tackles and showed a fine turn of pace to score just right of the posts and again Martin O’Connell converted to bring the score to 24-0 at half time.
The second half started again with Virginia in determined mood but were disrupted with a head injury to Centre Martin O’Connell who had to leave the field. Martin was replaced in the centre by Aaron Kearns who displayed an immediate impact with a fine training ground move in running a decoy move which allowed fellow centre Fionn O’Reilly to score beside the uprights with Mark Gilsenan converting. Letterkenny heads dropped with this score and Virginia brought on fresh legs so the pace of the game was maintained. Matteo came on at flanker for Captain Niall Preston and also had an immediate impact breaking the game line numerous times and was unlucky not to score. The pressure eventually told when Letterkenny had a scrum on Virginia’s 22 but when the ball popped out Virginia’s scrumhalf Sean Warren pounced and played an excellent pass to out half Mark Gilsenan who released at pace fullback Garreth Mannion who showed a clean pair of heels to the chasing Letterkenny players and scored in the corner.
From the kick off Virginia mounted another attack again with outhalf Mark Gilsenan drawing his man and then releasing the perfect pass to Eoghan McCabe who scored in the corner. This was good running rugby from Virginia with forwards and backs working and not afraid to make tackles or protect rucks when needed. The last play of the game finished with a solid Virginia scrum in Letterkenny’s 22 from which Steven Ryan number 8 drove over the line. Final score was 48-0 Virginia.
Letterkenny in fairness did not deserve this score line bur Virginia were relentless in attack and defence and played a real team game with players 1-22 playing an excellent game.All the forwards acquitted themselves extremely well with Virginia in control of scrums and lineouts.
Owen Doyle, Rioghan Smyth, Evan Charters, Darragh O’Leary, Lukc Sheriff, Charlie Reilly, Niall Preston, Stevan Ryan, Seán Warren, Mark Gilsenan, Fionn O’Reilly, Aaron Kearns, Martin O’Connell, Jamie Davidson, Gareth Mannion, Eoghan McCabe, Luke Brodie, Mattew O’Rourke, Ryan Shields, Samuel Ajetunmobi, Conor Cahill and Mateo Caso.
Virginia U15 Girls Maintain Top Position on League Table
Virginia under15 girls travelled the long journey to Letterkenny on Sunday last to play their first match of 2016. In the first ten minutes of the game, the Virginia girls kept their hosts firmly in their twenty two, and were rewarded with a try from Ciara Byers. Shortly after a well placed try between the posts followed from Rebecca Snell and a further from Hannah Grimes, both ably converted by Lisa Mullen. In the second twenty minute phase of the match, Letterkenny defended well and only allowed Virginia over the try line once. The final phase of the match seen the visitors surge forward for a further three tries from Sorcha Higgins, Amanda McQuade and Lisa Mullen with all three converted by Lisa. In the last ten minutes, Virginia had to fight hard to defend their line, but Letterkenny broke through their defence for a well deserved try which was converted by their kicker. At the final whistle Virginia emerged the victors with a score of 45-7.
Thank you to our hosts Letterkenny for their hospitality and an excellent sporting match.
Squad: Eimear Coyle, Sorcha Higgins, Sarah Corrie, Emily Gregory, Ciara Byers, Hannah Grimes, Rachael McEnroe, Amanda McQuade, Ruth Gilsenan, Lisa Mullen, Rebecca Snell, Emma Ryan, Sorcha McCormack, Chloe Duffy, Emma Lochaden, Leah Rooney, and Samantha Snell.
