Virginia U18 win in tough battle!
Virginia U18 welcomed joined league leader Omagh to Deer park last Saturday. The locals came out victorious of a tough and entertaining game with a score line of 36-19.
For their first game of the season on the new pitch, Virginia started strongly despite playing against a light autumn breeze. The hosts were first on the score sheet; good continuity play brought Virginia close to Omagh try line, the forwards took charge and tested the visitors’ defense with good ball carrying. After a few probing runs Omagh line was finally broken when Captain Rory Smith charged and extended his arm to ground the ball. Daragh O’Leary scored the conversion and made it 7-0 after 5 minutes.
Omagh restarted strongly and managed to recycle the ball well. Unfortunately, after spinning the ball wide they fumbled it near Virginia 22metres line. Virginia winger Natahan McQuade pounced and ran the length of the new full size field! Despite running out of gas he managed to out-pace his opponents and collapsed over the line! A lung bursting run and a good score for McQuade on his first game back after a lengthy shoulder injury. The difficult conversion was missed 12-0.
Omagh came back strongly and managed a couple of scores of their own. Half way through the first half, the score was levelled at 12-12. The first try was scored from close range following a good off-load from Omagh’s winger to his full-back despite a thundering tackle from full back Sean Warren. The second one came following a misunderstanding between two Virginia forwards allowing Omagh to regain possession and to run over the line.
The game was tense and both teams fought tooth and nails defending every inches of turf! Omagh Nº6 tackling abilities saved his team on a few occasions whilst their powerful 1st centre kept Virginia defense busy.
But Virginia had their own arguments and eventually took the lead again. A clever grubber kick from fly-half John Cooke wasn’t handled by Omagh rear guard. The ball bounced over the line only for Connor McHugh to dive and ground it between the posts. O’Leary kicked the easy conversion, 19-12.
Virginia were awarded a lineout 30 metres away from their own line and the excellent official on the day indicated it was the last play. Virginia forwards switched off… Omagh’s players didn’t and pressurised the lineout throw. They managed to turn over possession and after a few passes they crossed the line managing to once more equalise once the conversion was added. Half time 19-19.
The second half saw more of the same from both teams. The game turned into a fierce and relentless battle for possession. Virginia added some physicality to their pack by introducing Gerry Flynn from the bench as a replacement for Italian prop Tommasso Frausin. Freshly out of retirement, Flynn wasn’t long to find his mojo back and brought some impetus to Virginia forwards. Virginia kept running at Omagh’s defense and were awarded a penalty in front of the post after a ruck infringement. Smith opted for the kick, O’Leary obliged and it allowed Virginia to take the lead once more 22-19. Once in front Virginia showed great determination this time to keep the visitors at bay.
Omagh were defending strongly but Virginia kept recycling the ball for long sequences of play tiring Omagh’s players even more. The pack as well as the backs all laid hand to keep possession clearing rucks relentlessly. The bench was to be crucial, Omagh already sprung their only sub in the first half and had no option available. On the other hand Virginia were able to go to their bench once more.
Following an injury to the excellent 2nd row Oisin Cullen; Virginia introduced some fresh legs in the engine room. Substitute Samuel Ajetunmobi was brought on from the bench to bring his power and strong ball carrying abilities to the fray. It did prove decisive and Virginia were to increase their lead. It all started with a powerful maul from a lineout well caught by Ajetunmobi. The backs brought the play deeper into Omagh’s half. Then following a series of pick-and-go near the Tyrone team’s try line, flanker Steven Ryan ploughed his way across the line. O’Leary once more converted to bring the score to 29-19. With a 10 points cushion Virginia took the psychological ascendant and were now in control.
The last try was scored on the last play of the game and was a replica of the previous one. From close range 2nd Row Conor Cahill this time, crossed over (unfortunately it was on the wrong side of the pitch for the photographer to immortalise the moment!). The conversion was scored leaving the score at 36-19 as the excellent referee on the day very skilfully blew the final whistle.
A tough encounter for Virginia U18, who showed good mental strength to keep going despite being caught back twice on the score board. The team will have a few weeks break from league duty but training will keep going. A welcome break to allow few injured or sick players to recover.
Next league game will see the U18 squad take on neighbours Cavan away.
Team: Nial Preston, Luke Sherriff, Tommaso Frausin, Oisin Cullen, Conor Cahill, Steven Ryan, Owen Doyle, Rory Smith, Adrian Rogers, John Cooke, Natahan McQuade, Charlie Reilly, Connor McHugh, Daragh O’Leary, Sean Warren, Enda McDuffie, Samuel Ajetunmobi, Gerry Flynn, Eoghan McCabe, Christopher McDonnell.
U16s Reach Half Way Point Unbeaten
Virginia RFC U16s welcomed Monaghan RFC to The Deerpark last Saturday on a cold Winter morning. Monaghan were sitting 3rd in the table coming into the game, and Virginia knew they would be in for a tough test given the rivalry between the two sides.
The home side started ferociously pressuring everything Monaghan did, a chase by Jamie Davidson forced an error and Niall Carolan capitalised to open the scoring with Martin O’Connell duly slotting his first conversion of the day. Monaghan proved what a strong side they were though, and spent much of rest of the half camped in Virginia territory. Stout defence from Aaron Hawthorne, Robert Lochaden and Adrian Lynch kept them at bay if they went through the middle, and out wide Jason Henderson, Adam Charters and Mark Gilsenan were equally effective. When Virginia tried to re-establish dominance however uncharacteristic handling errors thwarted their progress, but similar mistakes from Monaghan on a cold morning for hands meant they couldn’t get on the scoresheet. One area where Virginia did hold sway was in the scrum, where Jamie Osbourne, Evan Charters and John Smyth once again bossed a bigger pack. This allowed them some attacking opportunities as the half wore on, and an excellent move of a line out saw John go over for a try, making the half time score 12-0.
The second half was a wholly different affair. Virginias hands had warmed up and they began to attack out wide, but Monaghans well drilled back line provided an excellent defence. Holes however started to appear through the middle, the first of which was exploited by Rioghan Smith to make the score 17-0. Michael McKeon-Boyle was introduced and provided big impact in the middle, and Paddy Gordon came on to further stretch the visitors defence out wide. A great step saw Niall add his second try, before Aaron Mannion again exploited gaps through the middle to get on the scoresheet. Adam Sherriff, Ryan Shields, Callum Finane and Callum Caswell all came off the bench, but the intensity didn’t drop, all of them playing their part in some heroic defence ensuring that a still determined Monaghan side wouldn’t cross the Virginia try line. As the half came to a close Cai Walker picked up a great off load just inside the Monaghan half to touch down under the posts, with Martins 4th conversion making the final score 38-0.
The match marked the half way point in Virginias Ulster South Region League campaign, and they sit top of the table with eight wins from eight. Next weekend they venture into Leinster when they visit Athy RFC in Co. Kildare.
The U14s game v Monaghan was called off due to a frozen pitch, so will be rearranged shortly.
U18 Girls Continue League Campaign
On Sunday afternoon the Virginia girls travelled to Enniskillen to continue their league campaign and weather conditions were perfect. The girls hit the ground running and ran in numerous tries from the onset. The first try came from Amanda McQuade, followed quickly by another from Sorcha Higgins. Ciara Brown, Lisa Mullen, Leah Gregory and Rebecca Snell all added tries before half time, with four out of the six converted by Lisa leaving the half time score at 38-0. The second half seen more of the same, and Virginia kept their hosts in their half for the majority of the match showing some great teamwork and spirit. Rebecca Snell and Ciara Brown both added a second try to their tally, with Amanda and Lisa both completing hat tricks in the second half, with Lisa adding a further two conversions to the score. The bench was emptied for the last quarter of the match, and seen the girls defend their line brilliantly in the final phase of the game but they refused to concede a score with the final count 72-0 when the final whistle blew.
Squad: Ava Fannin, Sara Whitley, Megan Higgins, Megan Brodie, Sorcha Higgins, Nicole Higgins, Victoria Whyte, Keelin Brady, Amanda McQuade, Lisa Mullen, Rebecca Warren, Ciara Brown, Leah Gregory, Rebecca Snell, Ruth Gilsenan, Sorcha Fitzsimons, Ciara Byers, Amber Redmond, Sarah Drumm, Eimear Coyle, Emma Ryan and Hannah Grimes.
Recognition for U18 Girls Inter Provincial Success
Six of the Virginia girls travel to Belfast on Friday evening for a presentation in recognition of their success as part of the Ulster Under 18 Girls team who recently won the first ever Inter Provincial title beating Leinster, Connacht and Munster in some very exciting encounters. The club is very proud of their achievement and well done to Ciara Byers, Sara Whitley, Caolinn McCormack, Leah Gregory, Lisa Mullen and Megan Brodie.
Under 15 Girls miss out to a strong Enniskillen side
The under 15 girls met Enniskillen in their league match on Sunday afternoon and despite being a very young side some great determination was shown from each and every player against a much stronger experienced side. A brilliant try from Bevin Moore, and converted by Clara Corrie put the girls on the scoreboard, but unfortunately was their only score of the day. The final score of 24-7 did not reflect the girls’ spirit throughout the match and well done to each and every one of the team.
Next weekend the girls travel to UCD to play at half time during the Irish Women V New Zealand match.
Squad: Suin Smith, Amy O’Dowd, Bevin Moore, Caitlin Ryan, Niamh Brodie, Paula Salazar, Christina Charters, Leah O’Dowd, Aishling McEnroe, Clara Corrie, Samantha Snell, Sorcha McCormack, and Renate Strode
