Saturday morning was an excellent morning on Sat 3rd, little wind at Ballymoney for the U18s game v Ards, blue skies, a little bit of sun in the athletes eyes as the angle of the sun is lower in the sky at this time of year and this probably had a little bit of impact in the first half although cloud cover did nulify this in the second half more or less, not a massive big deal but probably had a little material impact. The pitch underfoot was the Ballymoney main pitch in front of the substantial clubhouse and function / changing facilities including country bar etc, so good well maintained ground and good drainage has kept it very playable and safe for the athletes.
The game itself was excellent from start to finish, everyone new their position specific responsibilities and also how to gel as an attacking or defensive force. The rugby was highly organised and flowing with stepping of both feet, evasive movement, good tackling low round the ankles, set pieces were very focused, and both teams as their league positions show had strength in depth, good players as subs and all in all we can say that both systems played really good rugby and there were as in every game instances of flair, speed, agility, and some absolutely beautiful tries were scored.
We have compiled the following video interviews and footage of play below and interviews after the game
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Previously on 27th of Dec we had visited Randalstown U14s v Banbridge and with U14 rugby really kicking forward in clubs across the key areas of advanced drift defence and advanced attack formations we were able to get the expert feedback of the coaches below
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VIRGINIA RFC Virginia U14s ‘A’ come up short v Larne
There were perfect conditions at the Deerpark for an evenly matched Virginia U14 ‘A’ side against the visitors Larne in the Ulster Qualifying League. Virginia stunned the visitors by scoring the opening try after some quick work after the kick off by John Dolan, Jamie Osborne and Robert Lochaden for Jacob Englebert to storm over for the first try.
Larne quickly responded and after poor tackling from Virginia, they levelled the score. Virginia defended well despite being under pressure with try saving tackles by Jason Henderson, Jack O’Brien and David Gibney. A great break by Jason was followed by some good forward play by the hosts resulting in a great try by Sean Erikkson which was converted by John Dolan putting the score at 12-5 to Virginia with five minutes to half time. Larne however were not lacking in spirit and after more poor defending by Virginia, the visitors ran in 3 try’s before the break putting the score at 12-24 at half time.
The second half was fiercely contested between the forwards, with some good play by James Smith, Killian Collins, Thomas McGearty and Alex Perry, who was adjusting well to his new forward position. However, despite early pressure by Virginia, they were unable to penetrate the Larne defence and poor tackling again allowed the visitors to turn defence into attack and score under the posts. Larne had the momentum in their favour and despite some good tackling by Adam Sherriff, Billy Burke, Jack Vaughan and Cormac Brown the visitors scored another two try’s under the posts to put the game beyond reach for the hosts. Full time score at the Deerpark was 12-42.
Virginia need to regroup for next weeks top of the table away trip to Civil Service in the Qualifying League, with a win needed to keep their challenge alive for an end of season play off place.
Presentation of €3,700 to Virginia Cancer Care on St Stephen’s Day
St Stephen’s Day celebrations kicked off at the clubhouse with the annual President V Captains selection and despite the weather a good crowd turned out to watch the match. This was followed by a presentation of a cheque for €3,700 to Virginia Cancer Care raised by some of the club coaches and members at the Movember shave off. Well done to all involved.
Happy New Year to everyone from all at Virginia RFC, and please come along to the clubhouse to support any club events and matches throughout the year. New members always welcome.
Sat the 3rd of January U14 match report FINN VALLEY RFC U14s
Rainey OB U14s 26 Finn Valley RFC u14s 21
The U14s made the long trip to magherfelt to play Rainey OB of the premier u14 division in ulster , conditions were perfect with the sun bright in the sky . Rainey started off the better of the 2 team scoring 5 minutes into the game , the FV boys reacted well and nearly scored twice straight after but great Rainey defending stopped the tries . The FV boys found raineys big runners hard to stop as they ran in 3 tries to leave the game 21-0 at half time . At half time manager Declan Malley and captain Ben curran gathered the players trying to inspire them for the 2nd half , this clearly worked ! The 2nd half was a Finn valley controlled half , great work around the ruck caused captain Ben curran to break off and make a 40 yard run down the touch line and into the corner for a try !! Rainey werr shell shocked as only 2 minutes later the Finn valley forwards gathered the ball from kick off and bombed down the field , great driving from Adam Marley , Tomas Gallen and Oisin mcmenamin supported by the rest of the forwards caused Adam Marley to crash over under the posts for Finn valley’s 2nd try , Cody Laverty converted leaving the scores 21-14 , Finn valley desperately searched for the equalising try in the last 10 minutes but With too many boys committing to the ruck to try win the ball the Rainey number 10 saw the space and played it to the winger who scored in the corner , this was a blow to the young FV lads but that didn’t dampen their spirits. FV were rewarded for their fighting spirit when debutant Niall Gallen grabbed the ball 30 yards from the Rainey touch line and beat 6 defenders to score a great try , cody Laverty had another 100% kicking game and the final score was 26-21 to Rainey !! Manager Declan malley said after the game how proud he was of his players after nearly beating 1 of the best teams in ulster , next game is next week against strabane Academy .
Manager – Declan Malley
1 Tomas Gallen 2 Oisin Mcmenamin 3 Niall Gallen 4 Jack Kennedy 5 Tiernon Kelly 6 Calvin Harvey 7 Adam Marley 8 Ben Curran 9 Evan hickey 10 Ryan Gallagher 11 Martin Herron 12 Jake Laverty 13 Cody Laverty 14 josh Mcgee 15 dean Harvey 16 Dara porter 17 Caolan o Donnell 18 Ian Walsh 19 Cathal Gallen
Portadown RFC U14 win 24 – 10 away to Enniskillen.
After a home win against Omagh Portadown travelled, with only a squad of 16, to Enniskillen.
This meant some players having to move out of their usual positions.
The home team started strongly and looked dangerous when they spread the ball to the wings.Nevertheless, Portadown got their defensive shape and with the Enniskillen attack contained, Portadown started to work through phases of attack before full back Ross Chambers scored.Portadown had to work hard at the breakdown to secure the ball as Enniskillen counter rucked strongly.With the ball in hand Portadown moved the ball across the pitch in multiple phases which Enniskillen struggled to defend. Brent Magwood on the wing was a constant threat to Enniskillen and fast, evasive running was rewarded with a try.Complacency from Portadown’s defence allowed Enniskillen to score from deep in their own half.
However, Portadown responded working back into the opposition’s 22 and Ryan Neill took a pass at speed and broke through numerous tackles to score. Drew Flack converted for Portadown to lead 17-5 at half time.Unlike Portadown, Enniskillen had a full squad allowing them to bring on fresh legs.Portadown had to dig deep in the second half.It was closer battle in the second half with Portadown having to keep their defensive discipline.Enniskillen scored again and it looked like more were to followed. However, even carrying some injuries Portadown battled on and an angled run from Ross Chambers was only stopped just short of the line before Portadown forwards kept the ball available for a number of phases allowing Drew Flack to force in for a try which he then converted.
Enniskillen could not break Portadown’s stubborn defence and tried to kick in behind but Portadown’s back three of Callum Richardson, Brent Magwood and Ross Chambers were both brave in defence and dangerous in attack.A loose ball was kicked and chased down for Enniskillen to score. At the final whistle Portadown were out on their feet but their determination and commitment was the highlight of this game.Forwards Scott McDowell and Jordan Robb both played in the backline. Both making surging runs and willing to pass the ball through the hands.Second row Peter McAdam also impressed, winning ball in the lineouts and effective in the ruck.Overall this was gutsy team display from the entire team. Both the referee and Enniskillen coaches praised the boys attitude and performance.
Thanks to Enniskillen for their hospitality.
Enniskillen U16s v Portadown U16s, Score Sequence
Enniskillen u16s 74 vs Portadown u16s 5
2nd Min Try Jamie Kelly conversion converted 7-0
7th Min Try Jarlath Maguire conversion converted 14-0
13th Min Try Jamie Kelly conversion converted 21-0
18th Min Try Portadown conversion not converted 21-5
24th Min Try Tyler Millar conversion converted 28-5
29th Min Try Tyler Millar conversion not converted 33-5
30th Min Try Eoin Cleary conversion not converted 38-5
34th Min Try Conner Maguire conversion converted 45-5
39th Min Try Jarlath Maguire conversion not converted 50-5
43rd Min Try Aidan McKenna conversion not converted 55-5
49th Min Try Tyler Millar conversion converted 62-5
55th Min Try David Patton conversion converted 69-5
58th Min Try Tyler Millar conversion not converted 74-5
Final Score 74-5
Donegal Town Rugby
Youth section
Two teams were back in action after Christmas break
The u14s were a bit rusty but recorded a 53-7 victory over a brave Ballyclare side to maintain their league title ambitions.Tries from Jamie Crawford (3),James Smith(2),Brian Fagan(2),Liam Doherty and Seamus Og Byrne with 4 conversions from Victor Mitchell making a welcome return to action after injury
A weakened u18s went down 24-0 to a strong Ballyclare squad.
Training continues on Wednesday at Four Masters Astro pitch
BALLYMONEY RFC U18s’ SUPERB VICTORY OVER ARDS
Discipline and Commitment pays Dividends
BALLYMONEY RFC U18s’ SUPERB VICTORY OVER ARDS
BALLYMONEY RFC U18s 13
ARDS RFC U18s 10
On Saturday Ballymoney RFC U18s hosted Ards RFC U18s at the Kilraughts Road and in excellent playing conditions showed a real strength of character to win by 13 points to 10, writes Uel McDowell.
Ards came to the Kilraughts Road unbeaten in 25 league games but the Town Under 18s were in a determined mood to ensure that their own unbeaten home record would remain intact, and this created a really thrilling encounter.
As usual, the Town found themselves 5 points behind after just three minutes. From the Ards kick-off the visitors won the ball on the Ballymoney twenty-two line and from the ensuing maul they ran on the blindside and with a two man overlap easily breached the home defence to score an unconverted try.
The Town responded immediately and began to pin Ards back in their own half, with excellent running lines by Brown and Kane causing the visitors problems, and only resolute defence, some of which was on the edge of legality, prevented the Town from scoring. This was to prove fateful for Ards when they were penalised at a ruck, enabling Pattison to convert the resulting penalty to reduce the score to 5-3.
Immediately from the re-start ,Ballymoney went on the attack with some great surges by the forwards, supplying the backline with good clean ball orchestrated by the halfbacks Bell and Young. Two minutes before halftime, Ards were again penalised for diving over in a ruck. From the tap penalty Campbell drove to the line and presented good ball to the supporting McConaghy who crashed over to score an excellent unconverted try, leaving the halftime score at 8-5 to Ballymoney.
Our lads, with their tails up, began the second half strongly and began to increase the pace of the game, enabling the ball to be passed swiftly by the backline, pressurising the Ards defence into making mistakes and an inevitable yellow-card for a very high tackle on winger Neill.
Ten minutes later, a long kick by Young pinned Ards back into their twenty two. An infringement by the visitors at the resulting lineout handed the Ballymoney lads a penalty. This gave the forwards an opportunity to batter the Ards line with strong charges by Parkhill, Johnston, McIlwrath and Campbell. Persistence paid off when Captain Graham found a weakness in the Ards defence and touched down on the line to score an excellent unconverted forwards’ try to extend the Town’s lead to 13-5.
Several further scoring opportunities arose as the home side attempted to kill the game but over-exuberance and lack of vision meant these went astray. The game then see-sawed between the twenty-two lines with Ballymoney attempting to add to their score and Ards counter-attacking on the break, but excellent defence by both teams minimised the number of scoring opportunities.
With ten minutes remaining the Town defence dug deep to protect their line, and excellent tackles and hold-ups prevented the powerful Ards forwards from scoring. However, five minutes from time the pressure from the visitors eventually allowed them to create an overlap to score an unconverted try.
In the last few minutes Ards threw everything at the Town with incessant driving mauls by their forwards, and in the dying seconds and final period of play, Ards made a concerted effort to win the game only to be thwarted by superb defensive tackles on the Ards Number Eight by Kane and Parkhill, leaving the final result 13-10 in favour of Ballymoney.
This was a tremendous and spirited team performance and all the players must be commended on the discipline and commitment they demonstrated to achieve this impressive result. Aaron Brownwas awarded the Man of the Match for his superb angles of running throughout the game which kept Ards on their toes. Particular mention must also go to outhalf Andrew Young whose tackling was superb throughout the second half.
It was good to welcome back prop forward Gary Balmer, a stalwart of the 18s, after an extended period of absence.
This Saturday the Under 18s travel to Clogher Valley for their next league fixture and this should be an entertaining match.
Valley U18 gain revenge on City Of Derry in a in a 6 try thriller
Clogher Valley U18 traveled to City of Derry in the return leg, after being beaten at the Cran before Christmas by Derry in a close match which seen the visitors going North with the points. The Valley started well, controlling play and keeping the home side in their own half for most of the first 20 minutes. The pressure finally paid off, with a a strong run from Dale Hall from outside the Derry 22m to score beside the posts. Josh Graham added the additional 2 points. The new back line of Josh Graham at outhalf, Harry Patterson and Dale Hall at centre looked strong and gave the Derry defence problems.
For the remainder of the half, the Valley went to sleep, allowing the home side to reply with 3 easy tries, 2 converted, the sin binning of the Valley hooker compounded the problems. At the break the Valley was 19-7 down.
The Valley gave them selves a verbal slating at the interval and the 2nd half started in a similar manner to the first half, with the Valley dominating play. Skipper James Beacom, playing on the wing, broke from his own 22, took play to the opposition half, the ball was recycled several times, with the pack taking the ball on and drawing the opposition to the other side of the field. Graham spun the ball wide, Chris Hetherington gave a long pass to Beacom on the wing who finished the move by scoring in the corner. Graham again added the conversion to reduce the home side lead to 19-14.
The Valley, now with renewed confidence, kept the pressure on the home side. After a good break from Patterson, Hall rounded the Derry backs and scored the Valley’s 3rd try to equal the score. Graham stepped up, converting the try to give the Valley the lead and ultimately the victory, 21 -19. Man of the match went to Josh Graham with a outstanding performance of running, tackling and kicking. Overall a fantastic display from the Valley, with great work from back row Alan McKenna and props Mark McDonnell and Mark Rutledge. Next weeks home match against Ballymoney will prove another difficult fixture.
Qualifying U18 03/01/2015
Ballynahinch vs Instonians
Coleraine vs Inishowen Andrew Paul
Rainey Ob vs Finn Valley Scott Martin
U18 League Section 1 03/01/2015
Ballymena vs Lurgan
Monaghan vs Virginia
Randalstown vs Armagh
Carrickfergus 26 vs 12 Banbridge Richard Robinson
U18 League Section 2 03/01/2015
Letterkenny 3 vs 17 Dromore
Omagh 26 vs 26 Malone
Enniskillen vs Portadown
Donegal Town 0 vs 24 Ballyclare
U18 League Section 3 03/01/2015
Ballymoney 13 vs 10 Ards
Cavan 24 vs 12 Lisburn
City Of Derry 19 vs 21 Clogher Valley
Dungannon vs Newry
Qualifying U16 03/01/2015
Rainey Ob vs Finn Valley
Ballymena 2 vs Newry
Ballynahinch vs Instonians
Coleraine vs Inishowen Cathal Gilmore
U16 League Section 1 03/01/2015
Monaghan 14 vs 24 Virginia
Ballymena vs Rainey Ob
Carrickfergus 22 vs 3 Banbridge Mat Stone
Randalstown vs Armagh
U16 League Section 2 03/01/2015
Enniskillen 76 vs 5 Portadown
Omagh 15 vs 27 Malone
Donegal Town vs Ballyclare
Letterkenny vs Dromore
U16 League Section 3 03/01/2015
City Of Derry vs Clogher Valley
Ballymoney vs Ards Ryan Wilson
Cavan vs Lisburn
Qualifying U14 03/01/2015
Rainey Ob 26 vs 14 Finn Valley
Ballynahinch vs Instonians
Ballyshannon vs Strabane
Coleraine vs Inishowen
Larne vs Virginia
U14 League Section 1 03/01/2015
Ballymena 7 vs 38 Lurgan
Monaghan 24 vs 17 Virginia
Carrickfergus vs Banbridge Andrew Raffan
Randalstown vs Armagh
U14 League Section 2 03/01/2015
Enniskillen 10 vs 24 Portadown
Omagh 30 vs 68 Malone
Donegal Town 53 vs 7 Ballyclare
Letterkenny vs Dromore
U14 League Section 3 03/01/2015
Ballymoney vs Ards
City Of Derry vs Clogher Valley
