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VIRGINIA RFC MATCH REPORTS
Senior Ladies Create History At Virginia RFC
Two weeks ago the ladies of Virginia RFC played their first competitive match for their club against current league champions City of Derry, and this weekend they met Ballynahinch ladies.
This is the first time in the history of the club that Virginia has fielded a senior ladies team and despite the result of the matches not going in their favour the ladies showed some great determination and team spirit throughout the game. They have earned a well-deserved rest next weekend before they head to Malone on 5th November for their first away fixture.
Squad as shown in photo: Back row Left to right: Sharon Levy-Valensi. Victoria Whyte, Megan Brodie, Mary Snell, Megan Higgins, Leah McCabe, Anita Whyte, Michelle McAuley, Nichola Lynch, Lisa Gillick. Front row Left to right: Rebecca Warren, Gemma Galligan, Amy Whitley, Sara Whitley, Grace Kelly, Jenny Perez Redondo and Helen McQuade.
Newcomers are always more than welcome to come along and give it a try. Training every Sunday morning from 10am to 12 noon for all female teams, or follow us on Virginia Rfc Facebook page for updates.
Under 18 Girls Beat Ardee/Boyne 24-12
On Saturday last, the under 18 girls welcomed the combined side of Ardee/Boyne to Deerpark for a league match, and having been defeated by the side in a friendly the previous season had a point to prove this time round. The two sides took a while to settle and it was twenty minutes into the match before Virginia crossed over for their first try from Emma Ryan, and Rachael McEnroe followed up with another leaving the half time score 10-0 to Virginia.
The second half saw Boyne fight back and although Virginia had added a further try by Lisa Mullen which she ably converted; Boyne followed this with two of their own in quick succession, converting one of them. Rachael added a further converted try to their score before the final whistle and the final score ended 24-12 in Virginia’s favour.
Thanks to the visitors for travelling, and well done to both teams on their performances.
Squad: Aine Corbally, Amy O’Dowd, Ava Fannin, Courtnei Farrell, Eimear Coyle, Emer Caprani, Emily Gregory, Emma Lochaden, Emma Ryan, Hannah Grimes, Lisa Mullen, Megan Majury, Nicole Higgins, Rachael McEnroe, Rebecca Snell, Ruth Gilsenan, Sarah Corrie and Sorcha Higgins
U14s Cause Their Own Storm
Virginia U14s had their fourth match of the Ulster League South on Saturday away to Enniskillen RFC. Storm Brian wasn’t going to put off these lads from playing against an Enniskillen side who proved to be their toughest challenge yet.
It was about was about 10 minutes into the game before Jack Carroll robbed a loose ball from the back of the ruck, passing it out through the backs for Tyrone Tynan to score in the corner. The second try wasn’t long coming after that when Malachy Walker ran the full length of the field to score. The scrum was very solid and Virginia capitalised on this on a number of occasions to dominate possession, eventually allowing Tyrone to score a second in the corner making the half time score 19-0.
The only change at the start of second half was David O’Reilly on for Conan Fitzpatrick. Not long after the restart Malachy made a great try saving tackle that stopped Enniskillen from scoring, then Virginia turned the screw with a fourth try coming from Nathan Tobin after great work through the middle of the field. Virginia then made a few more changes, with Aaron O’Dowd on for Eoin Bogan, and Rian Stafford making a great debut when on for Tyrone. Killian Smith nearly got in for the fifth try but was just short of the line, but It wasn’t long coming when Kieran Duffy touched down after some great forward play. Virginia then put the rest of the subs on, Harry Leddy for Oscar Erikson , Cameron O’Reilly for Ben Curran, and Declan Burns for Glen McCabe.
Patrick Sheridan was unlucky not to score a try when he was just short, but the ball was picked up by Mathew Byers who touched down for number six. The seventh try was cracker, a second for Nathan Tobin after great work form the forwards and quick work from the backs allowed him to run the length of the field to score under the posts. Malachys fourth conversion making the final score 43-0.
That’s four wins from four for the U14s as they prepare for a well-deserved weekend off.
Team: Kieran Duffy, Darren Kavangh, Gordon Lochaden, Eoin Bogan, Matthew Byers, Conan Fitzpatrick, Patrick Sheridan, Glen McCabe, Oscar Erikson, Jack Carroll, Killian Smith, Nathan Tobin, Malachy Walker, Ben Curran, Tyrone Tynan, Harry Leddy, David O’Reilly, Declan Burns, Cameron O’Reilly, Rian Stafford.
U16s Maintain 100% Start
Virginia RFC U16s travelled into Fermanagh last Saturday as they continued their Ulster League South campaign. Despite the game being in the wake of Storm Brian it was played in conditions no worse than a usual Saturday in Ulster during October.
Virginia started the game very well dominating early possession, but despite this they were lucky to not fall behind when a lack of aggression at the ruck led to a kickable Enniskillen penalty. The forwards provided a good platform, with Robert Lochaden, Mark Gibney, Thomas Sheridan and Killian Collins securing lots of possession, and the half backs of Adam Sherriff and Adam Charters stretched the home defence at every opportunity. Centres Niall Carolan and Conor Nulty ran some great angles, and David Gibney joining the attack from Full Back gave Paddy Gordon on the wing plenty of space to attack. He duly obliged by scoring two quick trys and Virginia were firmly on top. Virginia proved they could work through the phases too, when after a quick break down the wing and a superb turnover from Ciaran Levy-Valensi the forwards rumbled through the phases. After a couple of powerful charges from Adrian Lynch and Cai Walker, Jamie Osbourne forced his way over the line for try number three. As the half wore on, Enniskillen worked their way back into Virginia territory and this time kicked the penalty opportunity they won, two conversions from Niall making the half time score 3-19.
The second half again started with Virginia on top, and Paddy had soon secured his hatrick when he responded quickly to a kick through, Niall again converting for a 23 point lead. Enniskillen then upped their level and really took the game to Virginia, but this brought the best out of the visitors defensively. Jason Henderson on at scrum half was stopping anything that came around the corner, and when Enniskillen did break through ferocious defence from Luke Morris and Diarmuid O’Reilly held them at bay. The one time they did cross the try line a well-placed hand from John Smyth brilliantly denied Enniskillen a try. Jake White-Duffy and CormacMonaghan entered the fray and got Virginia going forward again, and the introduction of Ryan McGuigan and Ryan Moloney in the front row meant possession at the set piece stayed solid on their own put in. The hosts continued to attack though, and with the last play scored a well-deserved converted try to make the final score Enniskillen 10 Virginia 26.
That’s four wins from four for the men in black, and they head to Boyne RFC next Saturdayfor a friendly before welcoming Dungannon RFC in the league the following weekend.
Squad: Jamie Osbourne, Killian Collins, John Smyth, Mark Gibney, Thomas Sheridan, Adrian Lynch, Cai Walker, Robert Lochaden, Adam Sherriff, Adam Charters, Ciaran Levy-Valensi, Niall Carolan, Conor Nulty, Paddy Gordon, David Gibney, Ryan McGuigan, Ryan Moloney, Luke Morris, Diarmuid O’Reilly, Jason Henderson, Jake White-Duffy, Cormac Monaghan.
VIRGINIA FOREST OF FEARS
See you if you dare in Virginia on Friday 27th October for the haunted forest walk. Starting at the rugby club from 7.30pm. admission €5 per person – all children must be accompanied by an adult.
