Virginia RFC U16s Heading Back to Ravenhill
Last Saturday Virginia RFC U16s welcomed old rivals Carrickfergus RFC to The Deerpark for the Ulster Cup Semi-Final. Perfect conditions greeted the two teams in what promised to be a titanic encounter with a place at the showpiece final at the Kingspan Stadium at stake.
Carrick started the stronger taking the game to Virginia, but a resolute defence led by Robert Lochaden and Adrian Lynch kept them at bay. The home side began to work their way into the opposition territory with half backs Jason Henderson and Adam Charters using a combination of hard direct running from Michael McKeon Boyle and Mark Gilsenan, and by moving the ball wide for Jamie Davidson to pressure their wings. The cracks eventually began to show in the Carrick defence and Aaron Kierans powerful run opened the scoring, with Martin O’Connells conversion opening up a 7-0 lead. The first half continued as a tight struggle with Carrick’s line out dominating, but Virginia holding the upper hand in the scrum with great work again from Jamie Osbourne, Luke Brodie, and Evan Charters. In the loose Virginia were a constant nuisance when Carrick had possession, with Cai Walker making his presence felt across the field. With ball in hand Virginia continued to test the visitors with a great move out wide finished off by Aaron Mannion to take the score out to 12-0 at half time.
The second half again saw a determined and talented Carrick team take the game to their hosts, but again Virginia held firm. An attritional game though was taking its toll. Aaron Hawthorne brought fresh legs and fresh power to the scrum, and knocks to Aaron and Jamie saw the introduction of Niall Carolan and Paddy Gordon who both continued to torment the visitors defence. With the storm weathered Virginia again took the game into the opposition half. The excellent Rioghan Smith finished off another move out wide, and another conversion from Martin opened up a 19 point gap. Ibykan Ajetummobi and Connor Kennison came on into the pack but the intensity didn’t drop, and before long Martin capped a fine display with a try of his own. Callum Finane and Adam Sherriff were introduced, both putting in solid performances to see the game out, with a final score of 24-0.
The U16s have now qualified for their second Provincial final of the year, and will play Randalstown RFC in Ravenhill on Saturday 13th May in the Ulster Cup Final.
