They’re only 13 and 14 but boy did they show maturity beyond their years on Saturday at Woodlawn. Carrick won the U13 cup last year but when they moved up to U15 rugby this season no one could have expected them to do any damage in the Ulster Elite League but after a slow start they had a run of seven unbeaten games to qualify for the Ulster semi- final.
The opposition on Saturday were a very big and burly outfit from Virginia and you could have been forgiven by glancing at both sides for judging that Carrick had no chance. The men in red however had other ideas and showed straight from the kick off that they had no intention of being intimidated by anyone.
Virginia carried the ball well in their own half but some thumping tackles from Jake Gardiner and Neil Beggs saw the ball break to Cody Surgenor who danced through two or three tackles before the ball was handled beautifully by the Carrick backs Kris Berry received a super flick on from Callum Wilson and scored in the corner with only 3 minutes on the clock.
The reds front row were dwarfed by the Virginians but were strong in the scrum and John Stewart took several strikes against squint put-ins to further frustrate the opposition. Big John Turner bounced one or two defenders before the ball was moved well by Wallace and Jake Porter and Dylan McDowell sprinted to the line to score a second after 10 minutes. Wallace nailed the conversion beautifully following the hours of goal-kicking practice he has put in this week.
In the next five minutes Carrick threatened to score several times and run away with the game but conceded penalties for holding on in the tackle and going offside.
On 16 minutes Virginia finally kicked from their half and Carrick failed to clear the big Virginia loosehead prop barged over to score a try which they could not convert. Carrick pressed hard for the remainder of the half but could not add to their tally.
Half time Carrick 12 –Virginia 5
The second half turned out to be a bruising and energy sapping game in the sticky conditions and Carrick were found desperately defending on occasions. Desperate indeed but every man made the tackles count in a heroic display of defensive rugby. Many an adult side would have buckled under the strain but such is the character of this young side that they point blank refused to capitulate. Every man played his part but Sam Wallace at out-half for the Reds made several try scoring tackles.
Time was running out for the visitors and the last 3 minutes saw Carrick drive manfully up field before Wallace booted the ball over the clubhouse roof for the final whistle, Carrick had recorded a famous victory.
Fabulous entertainment, nail biting stuff and ready to go in the final next Saturday against Banbridge for the title of Kings of Ulster U15 Rugby.
Well done men.
Man of the match – Sam Wallace
Spoon of Doom – Michael Dickson.
CRFC U15s SQUAD
Corey Kelly
John Stewart
Glen Cunningham
Scott Henderson
John Turner
Ian Kerr
Daniel McBurney
Cody Surgeoner
Jake Gardener
Neill Beggs
Kris Berry
Reece Berry
Conor Cambridge
Sam Wallace
Jake Porter (c)
Callum Wilson
Dylan McDowell
Harry Burbidge
Matthew Best
Gareth Smith
Jordan Robinson
