A Lot Done, But Still A Lot To Do For Virginia U18’s
Virginia R.F.C travelled to Enniskillen for their penultimate fixture of the regular season. There was a lot at stake as a win would send either team top of the league. Under perfect conditions, Virginia delivered their best first half of the season outscoring their hosts 3 tries to nil in the opening 35 minutes. Enniskillen pushed hard in the second half with a score of their own but Virginia defence held to come out winners on the day.
Enniskillen were the first on the attack. They found themselves in close vicinity of Virginia try line. Virginia were scrambling and Enniskillen create an overlap on the right-hand side of the pitch. The last pass was not secured and ended up in touch to the relief of Virginia, players, coaches and supporters!
Enniskillen were still pressing hard in the early exchange, they sent their strong centre Tyler Miller to test Virginia’s mettle. The big lad was picked up in a strong grip by Nathan McQuade and Charlie Reilly and was sent backwards at a rate of knots! Shortly after it was the turn of John Cooke to stop Enniskillen big number 8 in his track, he went for a big carry and ran into a wall! Those two big tackles in short succession set the tone for the rest of the game sending a strong message to the hosts! No passaran!
Shortly after Virginia exploited a loose ball, Charlie Reilly gathered a spilt ball and kicked it down field. The Enniskillen winger failed to control it and knocked it on into touch. From the ensuing lineout, Virginia forwards punched holes in the opposition defence. The play went wide through the back line for winger Gareth Mannion to dive, stretch and ground the ball on the line! The corner conversion was missed leaving the score at 5-0.
From the kick-off, Virginia pressed again and decided to run hard. Unfortunately, the ball was lost in contact and Enniskillen were on the attack again. But Virginia tackling kept them at bay and with no other option Enniskillen fly-half kicked away possession. The ball was caught by full-back John Cooke who made good ground side stepping few opponents. The ball was recycled a couple of time through the forwards compressing the opposition defence. Once again, the ball was spun wide to the wing to find Gareth Mannion. The Virginia winger side stepped 3 opponents effortlessly. When eventually tackled, he offloaded the ball in a “Sony Bill William-esque” way to centre Charlie Reilly. Reilly outpaced the last defender the score under the post. Daragh O’Leary converted to bring the score to 12-0. A brilliant team try from start to finish.
The third try came following a turn over ball from a ruck. Enniskillen failed to seal the ruck leaving the ball exposed. Virginia captain Rory Smith pounced and stole the ball. Enniskillen were caught and left dangerously exposed. The ball went wide to Nathan McQuade who stepped inside to fix the defence, a couple of strong carries by prop Niall Preston and back-rower Smith generated quick ball, stretching the defence even more. The ball was sent wide once again, full-back John Cooke inserted himself in the line to create the overlap, the last defender was fixed and Cooke released Gareth Mannion to run unopposed and score in between the post. O’Leary kicked the conversion 19-0.
Nothing was score for the remaining of the first half, Virginia were holding strong and Enniskillen were growing more and more frustrated.
Virginia started the second half where they left off. Mannion once again was found on his wing but unfortunately stepped in touch before grounding the ball.
Virginia discipline “dropped” and were penalised at nearly every ruck situation. Fresh legs were introduced in the pack when Gerry Flynn replaced Samuel Ajetunmobi.
After another penalty was awarded to Enniskillen they kicked for touch. The ball was well contested by Virginia and they earned a lineout of their own. The ball was caught and sent to Mannion to clear. But he was blocked and the ball fell perfectly for the Enniskillen player to ground it. The conversion was scored 19-7
The penalties kept coming Enniskillen way and the momentum of the game eventually changed. Enniskillen were now on top. But a massive defensive effort by Virginia kept them at bay. A neck injury to Enniskillen scrum-half with 10 minutes left on the clock afforded everyone few minute rest. The game was continued on the adjacent pitch.
Virginia held on rebuffing attack after attack. The energy sapping defensive shift was taking its toll. After a superb 65 minutes selfless display, prop Owen Doyle went down with cramp and was replaced by Italian import Tommaso Frausin.
Eventually Enniskillen ran out of idea and time. After a last dropped ball, the referee blew the final whistle.
The young lads delivered a scintillating attacking performance in the first half and a strong defensive display in the second. A brilliant team effort delivered a massive result for Virginia.
On to Omagh next for another difficult fixture away from home.
A win or draw will see Virginia top their group, a loss will send Virginia, Omagh and Enniskillen a 3 teams play-off!
Shout out to the lads who travelled but didn’t take part Christopher McDonnell, Keelan Sheridan and Anthony Moore. Once again, a big thank you to the parent who travelled for the game to support the lads.
V.R.F.C: Nial Preston, Luke Sherriff, Owen Doyle, Osin Cullen, Samuel Ajetunmobi, Steven Ryan, Daragh O’Leary, Rory Smith, Sean Warren, Adrian Rogers, Connor McHugh, Charlie Reilly, Nathan McQuade, Gareth Mannion, John Cooke, Tommaso Frausin, Christopher McDonnell, Gerry Flynn, Keelan Sheridan, Anthony Moore.
U16s draw in Enniskillen to lose 100% record
Virginia RFC U16s travelled to Enniskillen RFC last Saturday for their rearranged Ulster League South fixture, looking to strengthen their hold on top spot and secure a home play off quarter final.
The home side started with real intent of avenging their 13-10 reverse earlier this season, and Virginia were very much on the back foot. The defence was excellent however, with Robert Lochaden, Michael McKeon-Boyle and Jason Henderson stopping any attacks through the middle, and Aaron Mannion and Martin O’Connell solid if Enniskillen went wide. After withstanding a good bit of pressure Virginia backs scored a scintillating try out wide. Quick hands from Adam Charters and Niall Carolan put Mark Gilsenan in space, and after a powerful run his deft chip was collected by the supporting Niall who touched down to score giving the visitors a 7-0 lead. Enniskillen were rattled by this, and Virginia spent much of the rest of the half camped in their territory. Despite having much the smaller pack Virginias forwards were dominant during this period. At the scrum, Jamie Osbourne, Evan Charters and Aaron Hawthorne once again delivered a 100% return on their own put in, even managing to nick a couple off Enniskillen, and in the loose Cai Walker, Rioghan Smith, Adrian Lynch were excellent at the breakdown. Enniskillens defence was well organised though, and it took a bit of daylight robbery from Jamie Davidson who stole the ball off their backs after a chip through to score in the corner. Martins conversion making the halftime score 12-0.
Enniskillen were not for collapsing though, and despite Virginia starting the half well they worked their way back into the game. A loose pass in the Enniskillen half gave them excellent field position, and their powerful forwards battered the Virginia defence finally touching down a converted try to bring them back within 5 points. Aaron Kierans came on into the centre, and for a while Virginia again took the game to the home side. Enniskillen however had the bit between their teeth and were determined to get themselves back into the game. Ibykan Ajetummobi came on for the injured Cai, and contributed well to a brave rearguard action which held the hosts at bay. The onslaught continued though, and off a line out just outside the 5m line Enniskillen mauled over to level the score. Paddy Gordon came on for Aaron Mannion to try and unlock the Enniskillen backline, but to no avail, final score 12-12. Thanks too to unused replacements Connor Kennison, Callum Fianane, Callum Caswell, and Adam Sherriff.
A match Virginia could of won, but also a match they could of lost, the positives that will be taken are the excellent defensive display, and commitment of all the players. They still remain unbeaten and on top of the League, and need just one win from their remaining two games to take the title and secure a home quarter final in the play offs. They travel to 5th place Omagh next week to try and secure that.
U14s just a step away
Virginia RFC U14s made the trip to Enniskillen RFC on a beautiful sunny morning in the 14th round of the Ulster Carpets League South. With many changes made to the Virginia starting line up, it was a perfect opportunity for some of the younger, and less experienced members of the squad to show what they can do.
Virginia found themselves defending their lines from the start, with Enniskillen vigorously attacking. Big tackles were made by Eoin Bogan, James Tuite and Ryan Moloney, with Mathew Byers and Eli Caffrey ever ready to contest the breakdown, eventually getting the turn over. Then with big carries from Glen McCabe and Luke Morris, Virginia made their way back into Enniskillen territory. Quick hands from Scrum Half Luke Doyle and evasive action from Jack Carroll put Alfie Jackson into space, and he showed his pace to run 30 meters and score a fabulous try, converted by Patrick Sheridan, to give Virginia a 7-0 lead. Enniskillen attacked again from the re start, and again met a strong Virginia defence, but eventually scored out wide to bring the half time score to 7-5.
In the second half Virginia started as the attacking team with team captain Kieran Duffy ferocious at the breakdown, ensuring clean ball for the backs, with Tiernan Walsh, Ben Curran and Nathan Finane running some good attacking lines. Alfie again showed a clean pair of heals over the line for his second try, to bring the score to 12-5. Fresh legs were needed so Ryan McGuigan and Nathan Tobin were introduced to bolster the defensive lines. Two big marauding carries from Luke Morris were well defended by Enniskillen late on and the final score remained Virginia 12 Enniskillen 5.
A fantastic result which gives the coaching team a lot to think about regarding selection next week. With two league games left to play, one win would secure top spot in the league and ensure a home quarter final in the play offs. Next week they travel to Omagh RFC for round 15 , which is a top of the table clash.
