Saturday March 2nd saw Youth Cup rugby return to Mullaghmeen with Enniskillen’s Under-15 and Under-17 sides hosting Ards RFC and both players and coaches were looking forward to continuing the excellent form shown in the first part of 2013, where due to the inclement weather, and several waterlogged pitches, teams have travelled to Enniskillen to get match time on our well drained turf. Wins over both Omagh and Monaghan has proved to be great preparation for the Ulster Youth Cup.
This competition groups clubs together from throughout the province and Enniskillen were drawn with Ards, Coleraine and Lurgan, with results in the group stage deciding if they progress to compete in the cup, shield or bowl finals.
On a perfect morning for open rugby both ‘Skins teams looked forward to the opening match, however this was tempered slightly when, after the long trip from Co Down, the opposition arrived and their intimidating size and stature reminded the young ‘Skins of what cup rugby is all about. Undeterred both sides went through the routine of a structured warm-up and both games kicked off.
The Under-17s immediately used the kick-off to open up the Ards defence and it soon became clear that the young back line off Henshall, McGovern, Hoy, Mulligan, Gilleece, Breen and the returning Kelly were more then capable of imposing themselves on the opposition, with great handling and incisive lines leading to the first of four tries for man of the match Jack Breen. The forwards were up against a much larger but inevitably less mobile pack and the two Josh’s, Adams and McGurran, were very busy in the loose, making it difficult for the Co Down team to secure ball, repeatedly holding up the ball carrier in the tackle resulting in turnovers.
Credit must go to the Ards lads as they continued to attack and a scrum against the head led to their opening try. However with further scores from John Joe McGovern and captain Connor Hoy, after great distribution from replacement scrumhalf Josh Crooks, and conversions from Kelly and replacement O’Connor it was a superb result. 39 – 18 for the Enniskillen boys.
Again the Ards under-15 side were very large and intimidating and it appeared that the younger ‘Skins team felt slightly overawed going into their game. Indeed after only nine minutes they found themselves 10 – 0 down, after the visiting winger sped through the sprawling defence to score two unconverted tries.
Led by the spirited leadership of captain Fee, who rallied the pack to match the more experienced opposition and release our own dynamic runners Cormac Thompson and Tyler Millar, resulted in two scores from young Thompson, who has improved greatly and has seven tries so far this year. Tyler “TAKE HIM LOW” Millar also opened the defence to score, stretching the lead out to 19 – 10, however a never give up attitude and three scores regained the lead for Ards, which they held onto the end, despite a score from Jamie Kelly.
It was a very disappointed group who sportingly applauded the visiting team from the field, reflecting that games have to be won by all fifteen on the pitch.
All youth teams will travel to Coleraine next Saturday, including the Under-13 side, who had a bye this weekend but travelled to Strabane and recorded a fine 7 – 0 win, to build on some fine performances as they have continued to improve this year, with wins against Omagh and Monaghan recently.
