Virginia RFC Match Report
U14s begin double bid
After lasts weeks exploits in sunny Co. Derry when they retained their league trophy, it was back to earth with a bang for Virginia RFC U14s as they took to the field against a strong Lurgan RFC side on a wet cold morning in Cavan, in the 1st Round of the Ulster Cup.
The home side started strongly, dominating both territory and possession, and despite the conditions were happy to spin the ball wide. Early pressure soon told, and good hands from the backs put Paddy Gordon in space allowing him to score two quick trys to give Virginia a 10-0 lead. As the half wore on the home side were again in a dominant position, but a turnover in the opposition twenty-two saw Lurgan go the length of the field for a try to cut Virginias lead to 10-5 at the break.
Lurgans backs were some of the strongest Virginia had met so far this season and were a constant threat, especially when they went wide. Early in the second half they exploited a missed tackle and went in under the posts for a converted try to give them a 12-10 lead. The home side were now under pressure, and their dreams of a League and Cup double were in the balance. Once again though they forced their way into Lurgans half, and a determined run off a penalty by Cai Walker saw him crash though their defence to retake the lead, Aaron Mannions conversion making the score 17-12. The visitors again came at Virginia, but this time their defence held firm and they again won the territorial battle to bring the game back into the opposition half. Lurgan tried to find a way through, but a great intercept by Paddy saw him go in under the posts at the death to complete his hatrick, with Aarons 2nd conversion making the final score 24-12. A credit to the lads for digging deep to come from behind and gain a hard fought victory. They have a well deserved break next week before another home game in the Cup 2nd Round on Saturday 9th April.
U14s 2nd XV fall short
The 2nd XV were also at home in 1st Round Cup action, but up against one of the top sides in Ulster Section 2 with the visit of Donegal RFC. From the outset it was obvious this was going to be a tough day for the lads. They were very quickly 22-0 down after some strong running from the visitors backs, but they held their heads high and in the latter stages of the first half took the game to Donegal. Despite their possession though they couldn’t make the final killer breakthrough, and conceded late on to make it a 29-0 deficit at the break.
More of the same in the second half saw a spirited performance from Virginia, but made up of mainly U13s they were just not strong enough for Donegal. Despite some big hits, brave tackles, and brave running they went down 56-0 to the visitors, but the lads know their time will come. They now drop to the Bowl/Shield section of the Cup and will play Banbridge away on Sat 2nd April.
