Randalstown RFC U18 v Letterkenny RFC U18
Randalstown welcomed Letterkenny RFC to Neillsbrook for this friendly fixture played in glorious late September sunshine.
The visitors, fresh from an excellent victory over City of Derry the previous weekend, kicked off and immediately put Randalstown under pressure. After several minutes of sustained attack the Letterkenny scrum half sneaked over for the first score of the day.
A few strong words from captain Jack Hampton saw the Randalstown forwards begin to assert themselves on the opposition. The home teams dominance at the breakdown continually created space for our exciting young back line. On one such occasion the vision and awareness of halfback Matthew McCaw and Colm Griffin found Michael O’Connell in space. A terrific turn of pace saw the Randalstown centre outstrip the opposition and score under the posts.
A few minutes later the same combination saw O’Connell step through the visiting defence for another score. The half time whistle sounded as scrum half McCaw made a strong burst forward to win the race for the third touchdown of the day for the home team.
Injuries to two Letterkenny players meant that both sides had to re-commence the game with only 13 men. Tiredness, substitutions, and a few strange decisions by the officials lead to a slightly disjointed second half. Michael O’Connell raced in for his hat trick and Letterkenny replied with a couple of consolation scores to leave the final score 26-12 to Randalstown.
The players and coaches were delighted with the vocal support they received from family and friends on the sidelines, and hope this continues next Saturday as we travel to face a very strong Ballymena team. Kick off 11am.
There were plenty of positives to take from the Letterkenny game. Our tackling, scrummaging and open field running was excellent. With several key players set to return to us in the coming weeks, this should make for a few selection headaches. More time spent together as a squad on the training pitch should result in another successful season for #OurWeeClub
Training at the club each Wednesday evening 7.00-8.30pm. All new players will be made extremely welcome.
Randalstown RFC U16S v Letterkenny RFC U16S
The Randalstown XV entertained a very strong Letterkenny squad in this pre season friendly at a sunny Neillsbrook Park minus a few regulars through unavailability and some as a result of the transfer window!
Debuts were handed to very recent rugby recruits Eunan McAteer at fullback and James Murphy at flanker and they both went on to give very accomplished performances.
The strong Letterkenny pack set to work wearing down the town resistance which was most stubborn until finally a couple of well worked tries were conceded. Connor Doran was having a superb game with several piercing runs and great takes at the lineout,ably supported by the half back partnership of Eoin Letters and Daniel Cullen who were always to the fore.
Another debutant, Peter Longwell nephew of Senior coach Gary started in the centre and is another most welcome addition to the team. Despite all the pressure exerted by the Letterkenny lads Randalstown had several scoring chances of their own and were unlucky not to convert these. Curtis Gay at number eight and Ruari Griffin at centre both had fabulous games both in tackling and carrying the ball into attack.
The scoreline of 0-38 didn’t reflect the huge amount of effort the town lads put in and many positives can be taken from this game. The importance of a full turnout at training over the next few weeks cannot be stressed enough which is held at RRFC Neilsbrook Park at Wednesday 6 50p.m. and Saturdays at 11am.
Randalstown RFC U14S v Letterkenny RFC U14S
Randalstown hosted Letterkenny R.C. Under 14, 16 & 18 youth teams at Neilsbrook pitches on a warm and sunny autumn morning giving perfect conditions for the game of rugby.
UNDER 14 MATCH
First Half
Match started well for Randalstown with second row Eoin McDonald breaking through the Letterkenny defence and scoring a try after 2 minutes. The try was converted by Oran Gilbert from a difficult position out wide near the touch line.
Randalstown kept the pressure up with Peter Cullen scoring another try under the posts from the restart. The try was converted by Oran Gilbert.
Letterkenny were shell shocked and had no answers to the committed Randalstown attack. Five tries were scored by Randalstown in the remainder of the half. Stefhan Gabbidon-Lyttle scored two tries, Peter Cullen scored two tries and Dominic O’Connor scored one. Three of the tries were converted by Oran Gilbert.
First Half ended 45 – 0 to Randalstown.
Second Half
Randalstown restarted the half and after 5 minutes of play Letterkenny showed they had not given up by scoring two tries. One of the tries was converted.
Randalstown responded with two more tries from centre Stefhan Gabbidon-Lyttle. After periods of forward play in the middle of the pitch the ball was passed through the backs to Stefhan who with lightning speed ran round the defense, first on the right wing and then on the left. Oran Gilbert converted one of the tries.
Randalstowns final try was scored after the ball was passed out through the back line to wing Jack Johnson who scored in the corner.
The match finished 57 to 12 to Randalstown.
All of the team played well. Randalstown MAN OF THE MATCH goes to Peter Cullen who’s kicking and attacking ability inspired his team.
Randalstown Under 14 Team – Peter Cullen, Brandon McAllister, Oran Gilbert,
Eoin McDonald, Cormac Devlin, Con McGee, Dominic O’Connor, Stefhan Gabbidon-Lyttle, Joel McCavana, Jack Johnson, Ross Swan, Miguel Correia, Marco de Silva and Matthew Luke.
Coaches – John Kennedy, Sean O’Connor and Ivan Millar
