Virginia RFC
Virginia RFC U16s Maintain Momentum in Ulster U16s League
After a heavy night of rain The Deerpark was wet underfoot for the first time this season, but once again the players were met with a crisp dry morning as they welcomed Omagh RFC last Saturday. For the fourth game their pack was met with a bigger unit to compete with, but again the strength of the props Jamie Osbourne and John Smyth, and the second rows Aaron Hawthorne and Callum Finane, saw them dominate the early scrum exchanges. This gave them plenty of possession, and allowed them to get the ball wide where they were a real threat to the visitors. A good support run from Cai Walker after one such move saw him open the scoring, Martin O’Connell’s conversion giving them an early 7-0 lead. This pattern of play continued, with Rioghan Smith and Adrian Lynch dominant in the loose, and Jason Henderson and Adam Charters supplying quality ball to the backs. A try apiece from Jamie Davidson and Aaron Kierans, followed by two from Martin, plus two further conversions gave the home side a 31-0 lead at the break.
Changes made at half time stopped the fluency of play for a while, and Virginia found themselves under pressure for the first time. Good defence though led by Mark Gilsenan, Aaron Mannion, and Adam Sherriff weathered the storm and they were soon back in the Omagh half. A great maul off an attacking lineout saw Evan Charters go over in the corner for the first score of the second half. The visitors however played with great pride and brought the game back to Virginia, and they were soon rewarded with a deserved try of their own. Further changes from Virginia saw the introduction of Niall Carolan and Ryan Shiels, and again they found themselves attacking the Omagh lines. Gaps were appearing down the middle now and after some great forward play Ibykan Ajetummobi forced his way over for a score. Callum Caswell, Killian Collins and David Gibney were introduced and all gave good accounts of themselves, but Omagh were to have the last word with the last play, scoring their second try, the conversion making the final score 41-12 to Virginia.
Seven wins from seven see the U16s sitting top of the Ulster Southern Region, with a tough home game next weekend against close rivals and neighbours Monaghan RFC.
Virginia RFC U14s Extend Winning Run
Virginia U14s welcomed Omagh RFC to The Deerpark for a top of the league clash, both sides unbeaten coming in to this weekend.
Omagh started strongly making their way into the Virginia twenty-two, but their defence held well eventually turning them over, and a good line break from Conor Nulty set Jake White-Duffy up for his first try out wide, with his second soon to follow. Omagh were next on the scoreboard with some good attacking play of their own. The next ten minutes saw both forward packs pilling on the pressure, eventually Virginia drawing in the Omagh defence for the ball to be passed out wide allowing Tyrone Tynan to score in the corner to make the half-time score 17-5.
In the second half Virginia started with the intent of securing victory, with strong rucking from the forwards and good passing through the backs. Patrick Sheridan went over in the corner, quickly followed by Tyrone adding his second try soon after. Omagh kept their heads up though and were not done, attacking again in the Virginia twenty-two. Once again good defence turned them over for Jake to make an 80 meter line break for his hatrick. Omagh would have the last word though, showing what a good side they are with a score under the posts in the closing stages, bringing the final score to Virginia 34 Omagh 12.
That’s 7 wins from 7 for Virginia, who welcome Monaghan to The Deerpark next weekend.
Unstoppable Force Meets Immovable Object
Virginia RFC U9s continued their travels this week into the cauldron that is Navan RFC.
Two teams lined out again, against formidable opposition with both sides getting two games each. Whereas last week was fast and furious on a dry track, this week on considerably softer ground, it was plain old furious. All four matches were arm wrestles on tight pitches with nobody willing to give ground.
Ferocious tackling, including some Dan Lydiate style chopping by James, was the order of the day. Alex, Odhran, Isaac & Ronan leading the line in stopping attacks, wrapping up man and ball on the occasion that Navan’s big forwards tried to get going.
Sam & Jocelyn who missed last week’s trip stepped seamlessly into the groove and got stuck into a determined opposition. Dylan & Aidan were abrasive in broken play and were like limpets over the ball at ruck time.
Great forward play by Virginia time and time again sucked the opposition into committing to rucks and it was from this platform that Virginia scored a lot of their tries. Quick recycling by Elinor and passing from Roisin & Dylan allowed Virginia runners including Sarah and Brian to take lines that sliced through a resolute defensive line.
All of this hard work allowed Tom & Evan, amongst others, through to touch down while there was a try on debut for Charlie with Cillian adding to his growing tally.
All in all there were two draws, one win and one defeat in four matches that may prove to be the toughest Virginia will play all year. A tired and muddy Virginia welcomed the final whistle. Full credit to Navan for providing a tough match and being fantastic hosts. We relish the return at Deer Park.
Team 1. Alex Dowd, Jocelyn Snell, Dylan Brouder, Odhran Reilly, Sam Reilly, Sarah Smith, Charlie Caswell, Brian McCormack, Cillian Walsh.
Team 2. Ronan McLaughlin, Isaac O’Neill, Aidan Lynch, Dylan Smith, Elinor Van Lill, Tom Murphy, Evan Clarke, James Lennon, Roisin O’Donoghue.
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 34-19.
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 broke when Captain Rory Smith charged and extended his arm to ground the ball on the line. Daragh O’Leary scored the conversion and made it 7-0 after 5 minutes.
Omagh restarted strongly and managed to recycle the ball. 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 rest of 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 more fresh legs in the engine room. Substitute Samuel Ajetunmobi was brought on from the bench to bring his power and strong ball carrying abilities. 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 score 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 missed leaving the score at 34-19 as the excellent referee 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.
