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Virginia Rugby Club Match Reports
U16s MATCH REPORT v ARMAGH RFC
The U16s traveled to Armagh RFC for their final pre-season action on Saturday morning with a squad missing many regulars, but packed with players determined to take their opportunity.
Virginia took the game to their hosts, and dominated large periods of the first half, but small errors and some suspect choices meant they couldn’t get over the try line. An injury to Conor Nulty meant an early introduction for Spanish import Pablo Sobrino on the wing, and some additional shuffling of positions in the back line. Our other debutante James Farrelly gave an excellent account of himself with some powerful running and great ruck technique. Still the red wall held firm though, and poor tackling by Virginia heaped more misery on themselves when Armagh scored to take a 5-0 lead into the break.
Today wasn’t about the result though, and Virginia rang the changes at half time ensuring all that traveled got ample opportunity to stake their claim for a space in the squad. Perhaps this led to further confusion, and an error in defence allowed Armagh to double their advantage early in the 2nd half to 10-0. Team Captain Niall Carolan however rallied the troops, and began dictating the play from the unfamiliar for him position of Fly Half. Still Armagh held firm though, and the game clock ticked towards its conclusion. Virginia however weren’t done, Adrian Lynch on at the break had been a constant threat to the hosts, and it was him who forced his way over in the corner to halve the advantage with four minutes left on the clock. Armagh were rattled now, and a searing run from Paddy Gordon, well supported by the team, saw him touch down to level the scores, Aaron Mannion coolly slotting the conversion to give the visitors the lead. Armagh’s restart was gratefully caught by Jamie Osbourne, who after a powerful performance by himself booted the ball into the crowd to seal an unlikely at one stage 12-10 victory.
The lads were justifiably pleased, and the Coaches delighted not with the result as much as with the excellent performance and resilience shown by the team. The Squad stayed on to support Ulster U18s in their final Interpro of the Season v Connacht, and our thanks to our hosts Armagh for their very generous hospitality.
Squad: Jamie Osbourne, Killian Collins, Ryan McGuigan, James Farrelly, Callum Finane, Callum Caswell, Robert Lochaden, Mark Gibney, Adam Sherriff, Niall Carolan (Cpt), John Dolan, Conor Nulty, David Gibney, Paddy Gordon, Aaron Mannion, Thomas Sheridan, Ryan Moloney, Diarmuid O’Reilly, Adrian Lynch, Jason Henderson, Ryan Kennedy, Pablo Sobrino.
U14s MATCH REPORT v CITY OF ARMAGH RFC
Virginia RFC U14s travelled to Armagh where they were to take on their first game of the season in a friendly to give everyone a run out. Both teams were evenly matched. However an opening try by Virginia put them ahead, scored by Nathan Tobin & converted by Malachy Walker. The second try was scored by Kieran Duffy a pick and go straight through the Armagh pack. Virginia fought well with great passing by Nathan, Oscar Erikson, and Mathew Byers leading to Virginia scoring another try and conversion by Malachy. Virginias tackling and defence in the game was second to none. Darren Kavangh produced another good tackle forcing an Armagh player to spill the ball, from which Aidan Kiernan passed to David O’Reilly who made good forward yards supported by Matthew and Eoin Bogan.
Some great tackling by Jack Carroll and Ben Curran prevented Armagh scoring. Virginia were well organised and disciplined displaying great team work. Glen McCabe forced a good turn over ball back to Gordon Lochaden who passed it out to Tyrone Tynan who raced towards the touch line, and he was tackled offloaded the ball to Killian Smith to touch down for a fifth try in the corner.
The game finished 38-7 to Virginia.
Malachy Walker 1 try & 4 conversions.
Nathan Tobin 2 trys.
Keiran Duffy 2 trys.
Killian Smith 1 try.
Team 1. Aidan Kiernan 2. Gordon Lochaden 3. Darren Kavanagh 4. Glen McCabe 5. Eoin Bogan 6. Conan Fitzpatrick 7. Mathew Byers 8. Kieran Duffy 9. Oscar Erikson 10. Jack Carroll 11. Killian Smith 12. Nathan Tobin 13. Malachy Walker. 14. Ben Curran 15. Tyrone Tynan
Subs David O’Reilly, Aaron O’Dowd, Cameron O’Reilly, Harry Leddy.
