92+ teams were in action across the U18, 16, 14 and mini sections week ending 09/11/14. We attended CLogher Valley v Cavan games across U14 & U18 teams and found a Clogher U14s on top form against a Cavan U14s admitedly weakened by injuries and player availability. In the U18 game Cavan once again showed what high quality hard working athletes they have as Clogher had to work hard for their win. Basically what is standing out is the core skills! thats it, the core skills are standing out, off loads in motions, rucks, scrums, drift defence, lightning fast ball recycling from the base of the ruck, great passing, expansive hands to the wing, ball carriers breaking tackles. An excellent morning and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the rugby!
Well its been a few weeks since this report started and a big thank you to again, once again volunteers, friends, families, rugby clubs, grassroots contributing their time to write reports, where would rugby be without them!
The teams on Saturday were at U18, U16, U14, U12 and mini age groups. This community of players are excelling across the core skills of passing of both hands, off loads, line breaks, lineout plays, scrum plays and training their bodies and minds to think and work as teams developing wolf pack mentalities as they dismantle defences and action unreal defencesssss. These teams are scoring tries left right and centre 5 pointers are rolling in everywhere! Scores a rolling in even against post protectors from pick and drives under the posts. Saturday was a whirlwind of youth rugby and below is a round up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( full list of scores games and essential reading reports below)
But first here is a quick snapshot of the fixtures from Sat, at Qualifying U18 Civil Service vs Instonians, Larne vs Lisburn, Inishowen vs Finn Valley, U18 League Section 1 Virginia vs Ballymena, Armagh vs Carrickfergus, Lurgan vs Rainey Ob, Monaghan vs Randalstown, U18 League Section 2
Malone vs Donegal Town, Portadown vs Letterkenny, Ballyclare vs Coleraine, Omagh vs Enniskillen, U18 League Section 3, Ards vs Ballynahinch,
Clogher Valley vs Cavan, Dungannon vs City Of Derry, Newry vs Ballymoney.
At Qualifying U16 Civil Service vs Instonians, Inishowen vs Finn Valley, Ballymena 2 vs Lisburn, Ophir vs Dromore, U16 League Section 1
Virginia vs Ballymena, Armagh vs Carrickfergus, Monaghan vs Randalstown. U16 League Section 2 Ballyclare vs Coleraine, Malone vs Donegal Town,
Omagh vs Enniskillen, Portadown vs Letterkenny, U16 League Section 3 Ards vs Ballynahinch, Clogher Valley vs Cavan, Newry vs Ballymoney,
U16 Friendly Ballynahinch vs Banbridge.
At Qualifying U14 Civil Service vs Banbridge, Inishowen vs Finn Valley, Instonians vs Virginia, Limavady vs Ballyshannon, Ophir vs Dromore,
U14 League Section 1 Armagh vs Carrickfergus, Virginia vs Ballymena, Lurgan vs Rainey Ob, Monaghan vs Randalstown,
U14 League Section 2 Malone vs Donegal Town, Ballyclare vs Coleraine, Omagh vs Enniskillen, Portadown vs Letterkenny,
U14 League Section 3 Clogher Valley vs Cavan, Ards vs Ballynahinch, Newry vs Ballymoney,
REPORTS
Sat 8th Nov, 11:00 Ards RFC – U18 22 – 3 Ballynahinch
U18’s CLAIM STRONG WIN AGAINST HINCH TO GO TOP
20th straight home win for this group of players as they take a clear league lead.
In horrific playing conditions, the U18’s welcomed Ballynahinch to Hamilton Park for a top of the table clash. 70 minutes of enthralling, high quality and physical rugby from both teams was the reward for both the players and the significant number of supporters who braved the elements.
Ards took the game to Hinch early on and set a tempo that was unrelenting throughout and was key to securing victory. A half time lead of 12-0 was taken with 2 tries and 1 conversion from Joel DePledge. The first an opportunist quick tap after a penalty was awarded in the red zone after a long series of phases won by the pack. The second from quick thinking at turnover ball earned out wide from the strong press defence in the three-quarters. At the start of the second half, Hinch opted to kick a penalty just outside the 22 to take the score to 12-3. Ards’ final try was the pick of the 3, a magnificent multi phase move from half way against a still resilient defence finished off in style by Oliver Glenn and converted by Joel DePledge. With the clock ticking down, Ards opted to take a penalty kick at goal to take a 22-3 lead and the win.
However, the real story of the day was of a contest between 2 teams who both brought a commitment and a quality of both skill level and execution together to produce a game of rugby they will have enjoyed and learned from. The level of handling in the conditions from both teams was outstanding with good decision making and spatial awareness apparent throughout. The commitment in the tackle and the intensity at the breakdown was ferocious. It was the advantage that Ards held there coupled with a well executed and dominant 1st phase that was the key to possession and, therefore, territory. In the conditions, territory was the key to victory.
A number of Hinch players had some nasty looking injuries and we wish them a speedy recovery. Our thanks to the the Hinch players and coaches and to the referee, Scott Martin,who was switched to our game at late notice to cover and facilitated the match superbly.
Monaghan u18 0-33 Randalstown u18
In a game which was played in atrocious weather conditions, Randalstown kicked off and immediately turned over the home team to gain possession. The visiting pack put together a series of drives into the heart of the home defence and scrum half Matthew McCaw exploited the overlap to score in the corner. Michael O’Connell stepped up and added a tricky conversion.
Randalstown doubled their lead shortly after when dynamic fullback Coby Mason fielded a kick deep in his own half and ran the ball back 60m before linking with outside centre Philip Steele who sprinted in. O’Connell added the extras making the score 0-14.
On a day when the weather conditions made handling tricky, special mention must go to the back three of Bailey, Johnston and Mason who looked assured under ever high ball and made metres every time they got ball in hand. The third try came from this group of players with Mason stepping through the defensive line before outstripping the covering Monaghan players to score an excellent individual try. The conversion was expertly struck again by inside centre O’Connell.
With Randalstown’s pack winning good quality ball, Monaghan had no answer for the power and pace of the visiting backline and Phil Steele scored again right on the stroke of half time. The conversion drifted the wrong side of the uprights to leave the score 0-26.
With both coaches agreeing to play a shorten second half due to the worsening weather conditions, Randalstown emptied their subs bench to give all their large playing squad a run out. Special mention must go to James McBride who came on and anchored the scrum and Stephen Carey played out of position, filling in at scrum half and wing when needed.
The last score of the game came from another of the Randalstown replacements when big Kyle Kirkwood used all his power and agility to burst through several defenders before twisting and reaching over the line to score under the posts. O’Connell added the extras to make the final score 0-33.
With plenty still to work on, the Randalstown coaches must be happy to score over 30 points without conceding any scores for the second week running. Man of the Match this week goes to COBY MASON who controlled the game fantastically from full back. However his was not the only ‘electric’ performance of the day as Team Manager Kevin Carson had an unfortunate run in with a farmer’s electric cattle fence whist retrieving the match ball- thankfully no cows (or managers) where hurt!!
Monaghan U16’s 26 Randalstown U16’s 5
Randalstown faced an away fixture to Monaghan minus five regulars and coming on the back of two heavy defeats signs pointed to another tough struggle.Straight from the kick off Monaghan ran in an early try to show their intent quickly followed by another to leave a bleak picture amid the incessant rain.Remarkably a spark lit the Randalstown lads who began to have some belief in themselves and took the game to the opposition Sean O Rawe having some great runs along with James Murphy who was putting in tremendous work.Daniel Cullen revelled in his old role at scrumhalf forming a formidable partnership with outhalf Ruari Griffin who put in superb tackles and set up great position in difficult conditions.It was from one of these plays the forwards drove towards the Monaghan line for Conor Doran to stretch out over the line to touch down to the delight of his colleagues.Monaghan had another touch down to leave half time Monaghan 19 Randalstown 5
The second half was a dour struggle in difficult conditions Curtis Gay with Conor Doran having great games with the returning James Grindy and Scott Mc Clay also to the fore.Eoin Letters at fullback and a cameo at scrumhalf had a great game also. Monaghan stretched their lead again full time Monaghan 26 Randalstown 5.This was a most encouraging performance in so far a difficult season.
Team A Stewart, L Kirkwood,J Grindy,P Mitchell,C Doran,C Gay,D Cullen,R Griffin,S Mc Clay,R Magill,S O Rawe,J Murphy,E Letters
DISAPPOINTING PERFORMANCE FROM BALLYMONEY RFC UNDER 18s.
NEWRY RFC U18s 24 BALLYMONEY RFC U18s 14
On Saturday the 8th November, Ballymoney RFC Under 18s travelled to Newry RFC and lost disappointinglyby 24-14.
In poor playing conditions and on a very wet pitch, the Ballymoney lads found themselves 7 points down within the first five minutes from the kick-off. Ten minutes later things went from bad to worse when Newry scored another soft converted try when poor tackling in the midfield allowed the Newry centre to score.
The Town backline were struggling to raise their game when centre, Jack Kane, hacked through on a loose ball to beat the defending player to the touchdown, resulting in a try which the referee disallowed as he claimed he did not see it. The forwards valiantly persisted and outplayed their opponents only to be disappointed when, following a forward surge, prop William Parkhill scored an excellent try which was unbelievably disallowed too, as the referee again claimed he was unsighted. The referee’s shambolic decision-making continued when following this disallowed try he issued a yellow card to the wrong Ballymoney player minutes before half-time leaving the score 14-0 in favour of Newry.
After the half-time pep talk the Ballymoney lads emerged with a more positive attitude and soon scored an excellent try. The ball was then won by centre Aaron Brown who broke through the Newry defence and off-loaded to the supporting Parkhill who crashed over beside the posts. Gary Pattison added the conversion. With increasingly confident play the game began to swing in Ballymoney’s favour, and after some sterling and persistent effort from the forwards, Ben Adams scored the second try which was again converted by Pattison. Subsequent lapses in concentration resulted in poor and sluggish decision-making allowing two scoring opportunities to be missed. Newry, spotting these weaknesses, scored a further two unconverted tries leaving the final score at 24-14 to the home side.
This was a game which could have had a more positive outcome for the Ballymoney lads if the refereeing had been totally unbiased and more proactive. However, the Town boys did not play to their strengths on this occasion or demonstrate the level of play of which they are capable.
U16s match report by Mark Culbertson
Honours even in the swamp
On Saturday Ballymoney U16s made the long trip to Newry RFC in the league.
On arrival at the ground the game was in major doubt due to the pitch being flooded and in the ref’s eyes unplayable and unsafe.
After a lot of work from Newry’s grounds man with a pitchfork, trying and failing to drain the puddles he convinced the referee to start the game and hope the pitch would hold up.
The match was kicked off by Newry
long into Ballymoney’s half and it wasn’t long into the game when both sides new this was going to be a very difficult day to play any kind of rugby other than stick it up the jumper and hope you could hold onto the ball for more than one phase.
The first half of the game done little more than frustrate both sets of players by knock on’s, collapsing scrums and cleaning mud out of eyes, as a result the first half came to an end with the scoreboard still
on 0-0
Ballymoney kicked off the second half after being told that some days in the game of rugby it’s going to be wet and slippery under foot and the ball resembles a wet fish, but to trust in yourselves and get the ball through the hands. Ten minutes into the second half the deadlock was broken after a knock on by Newry resulted in advantage being played by the ref when Ballymoney’s Philip Beattie came out of the muck with the ball and popped it up to big Graham Donnelly who by this point in the game was absolutely boggin and Newry’s defence just couldn’t hold onto the big man and he broke through three would be tacklers to score under the posts which was converted by Stevie Culbertson 0-7
After the restart the game opened up with Newry chasing hard not wanting to lose at home, but it was Ballymoney calling all the shots in the most part, but for Newry defending stoutly and the usual knock on’s Ballymoney could and should of been out of sight, but from a high clearance by Newry’s fullback the ball got stuck in a puddle of mud and wasn’t dealt with by Ballymoney only to be picked up by Newry and ran in for the equalising try. Score 7-7
Both sides had opportunities to win the game from penalties at the posts but none were taken, so fair result in the end as both teams worked they’re socks off all match..
When both teams were shaking hands after the whistle it was hard to tell which team was which and nothing but the whites of eyes and teeth through smiles..
Ballymoney’s m.o.t.m went to
Adam Coulter
Training is on Tuesday night at 6pm everyone welcome.
We have a score sequence from Enniskillen U16s
Omagh U16’s 10 vrs Enniskillen U16’s 18
15 min Try Tyler Millar conversion not converted 0/5
25 min Try Omagh conversion not converted 5/5
33 min Try Jamie Kelly conversion not
Converted 5/10
50 min Try Omagh conversion not converted 10/10
56 min Try Jarlath Maguire conversion not converted 10/15
59 min Penalty Jarlath Maguire 10/18
Final Score 18/10 to Skins
Omagh U14’s 36 vrs Enniskillen U14’s 36
Randalstown Rugby Club – Youth Rugby Under 14 Team
Monaghan U14 vs Randalstown U14
8th November 2014
Randalstown Under 14, 16 & 18 youth teams travelled across the border to Monaghan Rugby Club for their next premier league matches on what turned out to be a very wet and cold morning giving difficult conditions for a game of rugby. As Monaghan had only two pitches the Under 14s had to wait for over an hour to play their game.
UNDER 14 MATCH
First Half
Match started badly for Randalstown when Monaghan attached the Randalstown defensive line. The town team were slow to get into the game and get to grips with the much larger opposition pack. Monaghan took advantage of the Randalstown lack of organisation so early in the match and scored a try in the corner after just two minutes of play. The conversion was missed. This was a wakeup call for Randalstown and the leaders in the team called for more intensity and commitment.
Play restarted and tried their best to get the better of the Monaghan defence. The teams exchanged possession a number of times in a hard fought contest in the middle of the pitch. Randalstown won a line out on the Monaghan ten yard line and executed a near perfect training ground move which saw the ball moving swiftly to the back line and number twelve Peter Cullen who took the ball at speed and made a lot of ground befor passing to centre Stefhan Gabbidon-Lyttle who sprinted down the five yard line and over the try line to score Randalstown’s first try. The difficult wide conversion was missed by Oran Gilbert.
Monaghan restarted and tried their best to break through the now galvanized town defense. Randalstown got possession of the ball in midfield and centre Peter Cullen made a great run through the Monaghan defense to be stopped on the five yard line. Randalstown forwards were keeping pace with play and after two rucks number eight Eoin McDonald scored Randalstown’s second try. The conversion was missed by Stefhan Gabbidon-Lyttle.
Monaghan restarted and after gaining possession of the ball in the midfield attacked the Randalstown defense but lost the ball on the town twenty two to centre Peter Cullen who made a fantastic solo run the length of the pitch to score under the posts. The try was converted by Oran Gilbert.
First Half ended 17 – 5 to Randalstown.
Second Half
From the restart Randalstown were determined to take the game to the opposition but suffered an injury to forward Joel McCavana. Replacements Fionn Johnston and Ethan Higgins took the field. Randalstown forwards attached the opposition twenty two with success with number eight Eoin McDonald scoring under the posts. The try was converted by Oran Gilbert.
Monaghan responded with direct play by their forwards, breaking the gain line at rucks again and again and pushing Randalstown back into their twenty two. After Randalstown missed one tackle too many Monaghan forwards broke through out wide to score their second try of the match. The conversion was missed.
Randalstown restarted and tried their best to keep the Monaghan attack at bay but conceded another try by the Monaghan forwards. The conversion was missed.
The game restarted but Monaghan ran out of time to take advantage of the now tired Randalstown defence as the referee blew the final whistle to end the game.
The match finished 24 – 15 to Randalstown.
All of the team played well. Randalstown MAN OF THE MATCH goes to Eoin McDonald and Peter Cullen fortheir leadership turning the game around after giving away the early try.
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, Ciaran O’Neill, Ethan Higgins, Miguel Correia, Marco de Silva, Fionn Johnston and Matthew Luke.
Coaches – John Kennedy, Sean O’Connor and Ivan Millar
VIRGINIA RFC Virginia RFC U14s Remain Unbeaten
Virginia RFC U14s welcomed Ballymena RFC this morning for an Ulster Premier 1 League Fixture. Conditions weren’t at their best as the rain teemed down on an already sodden pitch.
Unbeaten so far this season, Virginia came out of the blocks on fire. Martin O’Connell picked up the ball in his own half, and spotting the gap on the outside ran in a try from 60m. His conversion made it 7-0. They won the ball from the restart, and this time on the other wing Nial Preston spotted the space, handing off any tacklers to make the score 12-0. Before long Ballymena were shellshocked as again Nial found space, this time down the middle, and Martins second conversion made it 19-0 within 10 minutes. Great credit to Ballymena who could of folded, but instead they regrouped and spent most of the rest of the first half in the Virginia half. The home side however defended superbly, if Ballymena tried to come through the middle Adrian Lynch and Ryan Shiels had formed a wall that couldn’t be penetrated, if they tried to go wide then Daniel McConnan, Adam Charters, and Aaron Kierans were a match for them, and if they tried to go over the top Luke Tierney, Paddy Gordon and Niall Carolan fielded and tackled brilliantly. Half time 19-0.
Given all the early pressure Virginia could feel they should of been further ahead, and again they started the second half strongly, and within a minute Nial Preston had sealed his hatrick with another powerful fun to take the score out to 24-0. Territory was much more even in the second half, and the forwards ensured that Virginia had most of the possession. A great performance in the scrum from Aaron Hawthorne, Evan Charters, Jake Sullivan, and Ibykan Ajetummobi gave the home side dominance, and the lightning work of Cai Walker and Rioghan Smith in the loose was a constant thorn in the side of Ballymena. The visitors had one sustained period of pressure where they were camped on the Virginia 5m line for about 20 phases of play. Some defiant defence however kept them at bay, with some superb work from Michael McKeon-Boyle, Robert Lochaden and Killian Collins meaning no try was scored. Jason Henderson kept the backs ticking over as the game drew to a close, and a kick chase by John Dolan almost saw Virginia add to their total. Final score 24-0.
All in all a strong defensive performance from the team, whilst still leaving room to improve in attack. Next week sees Virginia travel to Carrickfergus for a top of the table clash against their also unbeaten hosts.
The U14s Qualifying League fixture was conceded by Instonians. Next week sees this side welcome Larne.
Virginia U/15 girls V Dungannon in Ravenhill
Well done to the under 15 girls who played at the half time interval against Dungannon in Ravenhill on Saturday 1st November, winning 2 – 0, with tries scored in quick succession by Eimear McEnroe & Lisa Mullen. An enjoyable evening was had by all who travelled despite the weather and the Ulster men emerged the winners against the Newport Gwent Dragons in the Guinness Pro12 match with a final scoreline of 23 – 6
The under 15 girls travel along with the under 18 girls to Ballymoney next Sunday to take part in the third blitz of the Girls Youth tournament season.
U18 Match Report – 8th November 2014 Newry 24 – Ballymoney 14
Ballymoney travelled to Newry on a rainy Saturday morning and in heavy conditions, a fiercely contested game ended with a Newry win. From the start Newry’s inconsistent start to the season became a memory with strong running, tackling, rucking and counter rucking showing that the belief lacking in previous weeks was back with a vengeance.
Newry scored in the first half through hooker Anton McLoughlin and winger Tiernan Forde after a flowing backs move, with outhalf Jack Hegarty converting both of the tries, but in the second half, Newry withstood huge pressure from a big Ballymoney pack, who lost their discipline on a number of occasions, having a man sin binned as a result. Ballymoney pressure paid dividends and they equalised, but Newry regained their composure and after a rehearsed short lineout, Blaise McKnight passed to Matthew O’Donovan to score in the corner. From the restart Newry continued their high tempo, pressure defensive display and after a lung bursting run, Blasie McKnight scored having thrown dummy after dummy running with the ball in two hands to put Newry two scores ahead.
The clock ran down on the game with Newry under pressure in their own twenty two, but scrum half Matthew McKevitt calmly kicking the ball out to bring a close game to an end. Newry travel to Cavan in their next game, and can go with a fine display from all players, with a special mention to birthday boy Andrew McAteer who injured a knee and had to come off in the second half, Dominic O’Hanlon who disrupted the Ballymoney attack time and again on the wing, Tiernan Forde, Jack McClelland, Cian McConvey and Jack Hegarty whose tackling in the backs kept Ballymoney backs under control.
The pack deserves recognition for their tireless work, with the display against City of Derry a distant memory, with real intensity and commitment from the forwards when under pressure from a Ballymoney pack who expected to win but came up against a Newry side whose belief in themselves and each other has finally returned.
Newry team:
Colin Whyte, Anton McLoughlin, Michael (Mo) O’ Hare, Ciaran Byrne, Ryan O’Connor, Blaise McKnight, Coalan Phillips, Matthew O’Donovan, Matthew McKevitt, Jack Hegarty, Cian McConvey, Jack McClelland, Dominic O’Hanlon, Tiernan Forde, Andrew McAteer, Declan McNally.
U16 Newry 7- Ballymoney 7
Newry’s first home match this season was well contested by a strong Ballymoney side. The first half began with Newry kicking off collected by Ballymoney who were able to go nowhere because of Newry’s high pressure. A very even 20 minutes with few breakthroughs and impressive tackling went by before Newry began to attack. Newry’s efforts were not finished due to handling errors, a very frustrating end to the first half with complete dominance and no points on the board. Cillin Smyth showing his usual class securing rucks and protected Newry possession time and time again with no loss of ball in the rucks. The second half began and it wasn’t long until Ballymoney’s quality Number 8 scoring a soft try under the posts which was converted. Newry continued dominating but not finishing off in the corners. Eventually Newry got a try after Rory McParland did a high quality kick into the space allowing Niall McKevitt to score under the posts. A unlucky day for the Newry Under 16’s which really should have been a win of large proportions but none the less and outstanding performance from Aaron Lavery and an incredible improvement from Joe McGuinness who is improving week on week.
RESULTS / FIXTURES
(Please note some of these games may have been called off)
Qualifying U18 08/11/2014
Civil Service vs Instonians
Larne 0 vs 0 Lisburn More
Inishowen vs Finn Valley
U18 League Section 1 08/11/2014
Virginia vs Ballymena
Armagh vs Carrickfergus (win for Armagh)
Lurgan vs Rainey Ob
Monaghan 0 vs 33 Randalstown
U18 League Section 2 08/11/2014
Malone vs Donegal Town
Portadown 20 vs 10 Letterkenny
Ballyclare vs Coleraine David Brown
Omagh vs Enniskillen
U18 League Section 3 08/11/2014
Ards 22 vs 3 Ballynahinch
Clogher Valley 17 vs 12 Cavan
Dungannon vs City Of Derry
Newry 24 vs 14 Ballymoney
Qualifying U16 08/11/2014
Civil Service 19 vs 46 Instonians
Inishowen vs Finn Valley
Ballymena 2 vs Lisburn Marcus Malley
Ophir vs Dromore
U16 League Section 1 08/11/2014
Virginia 22 vs 12 Ballymena
Armagh 45 vs 10 Carrickfergus TBC TBC
Monaghan 26 vs 5 Randalstown Patrick McGrath
U16 League Section 2 08/11/2014
Ballyclare 24 vs 5 Coleraine
Malone vs Donegal Town
Omagh 10 vs 18 Enniskillen
Portadown 5 vs 29 Letterkenny
U16 League Section 3 08/11/2014
Ards vs Ballynahinch
Clogher Valley vs Cavan (win for Clogher)
Newry 7 vs 7 Ballymoney
U16 Friendly 08/11/2014
Ballynahinch 33 vs 10 Banbridge
Qualifying U14 08/11/2014
Civil Service vs Banbridge
Inishowen vs Finn Valley
Instonians vs Virginia
Limavady vs Ballyshannon
Ophir vs Dromore
U14 League Section 1 08/11/2014
Armagh 25 vs 37 Carrickfergus
Virginia 24 vs 0 Ballymena
Lurgan 56 vs 5 Rainey Ob Rab Weir
Monaghan 15 vs 24 Randalstown
U14 League Section 2 08/11/2014
Malone 37 vs 12 Donegal Town
Ballyclare vs Coleraine Brian Banks
Omagh 36 vs 36 Enniskillen Grainne Crabtree
Portadown vs Letterkenny
U14 League Section 3 08/11/2014
Clogher Valley 22 vs 7 Cavan
Ards vs Ballynahinch
Newry vs Ballymoney
