ENNISKILLEN 3RD – 6
VIRGINIA RFC 1ST – 13
On Saturday Virginia 1st XV travelled to Enniskillen for their first friendly encounter of the season. After few weeks of intense training everybody was impatient to finally take to the field in a competitive game. Virginia fielded an unusual team where a handful of household names mixed up with players coming from the under-age structure as well as new comers. For once in a long time Virginia travelled with a full 15 team and 4 substitutes, as well as a physio and a handful of supporters!!
The game was to be a real opposition of style where Enniskillen would rely on their experienced, strong heavy pack and the visitor would bank more on their youthful and speedy back line. The game, officiated by referee Declan Reilly, was to be played in 4 quarter of 20 minutes.
Enniskillen kicked the game off but it was Virginia who stepped into the game with great determination and put the hosts on the back foot. However the influx of new faces within the team resulted in few misunderstandings that prevented Virginia to convert their early domination into points.
As expected Enniskillen with their heavier pack had the upper hand at scrum time but Virginia forwards were dominating the line-outs aerial battle stealing few opposition’s throws. It was on one of them that Virginia rumbled into Enniskillen’s 30 metres, one of Enniskillen forwards did not release in the tackle and was penalised by referee Reilly. Coach Brady asked for points and fly- half Chris Tully kicked the first points of the game. Virginia scored another penalty and were leading 6-0 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter Virginia took a definitive lead when scoring their only try by lock Thomas Owens. The Killinkere man was at the conclusion of an action initiated by Number 8 Fintan O’Reilly on Virginia own 22 metres line. O’Reilly picked up a loose ball and smashed Enniskillen defence. From the ensuing ruck the ball was spread to the centre where new comer John “The Bull” McCabe exploited a gap in the Fermanagh over stretched defence. McCabe was caught up but after few good off-loads and rucks, Mccabe again fixed a couple of defenders and managed to off-load acrobatically to Paterson who fixed his defender and passed to Owens in support to ground the ball at the bottom of the posts. Tully kicked the easy conversion 13-0 for the visitors. The score would remain unchanged until half-time.
After the break Virginia fell back in to their old habits and went asleep. They messed up the reception of the kick-off and were pinned down in their 22. After few rucks to fix the defence, Enniskillen fired the ball wide for a score. With the successful conversion it was now 13-6. Enniskillen were on the up but an unexpected beak provided by referee Reilly gave Virginia the opportunity to regroup and enjoyed few minutes of the game between Enniskillen 1st against Bangor! The Ramor men held on for the remaining two quarters. The last quarter saw great displays from full-back McNamee (try saving tackle) and new comer P. Daly and A Smith. After a tough season last year it was nice to be on the winning side!
Overall, a good game from Virginia for their first outing, coach Brady was pleased with the effort from all. Although the coach was quick to remind everyone that there is still a lot of room for improvement and that can only be addressed by consistent attendance at training. Training still takes place on Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm. Next Virginia will travel to Dublin to take on city slickers Old Belevedere 5th team.
