Virginia Mini’s under 9s had their first competitive outing of the season on a cold and damp November Sunday morning in Navan Rugby club..The weather failed to dampen this spirited U 9 team which launched themselves in the games.
Game 1: Virginia v Navan team 1.
This proved to be Virginia’s best game with Navan competing for every inch of the turf.. Viginia were 2 tries down when tough tacking by Noah Lotscher and Gavin Kavanagh and good passing by Ben Tierney allowed Cormac Yore run in 2 tries to level the game. Navan managed to break Virginia tackles to take the lead again however John O Donoghue, Dara O Hanlon and Nathan Levy-Valens forced a good turn over ball back to Ben Tierney who raced the to touch down in the corner. Aran O Hanlon produced a good tackle on a Navan player who spilled the ball from which Tiernan Walsh passed to Oisin Raymond who made good forward yards supported by Gavin Kavanagh and Gordon Lochaden. Ben tierney at scrum half spotted a gap on the blind side passing To Noah Lotscher to score the winner in this sporting game.
Game 2: Virginia v Navan team 2.
This game proved a much closer affair with plenty of mauling and tackling in the center of the field. Both teams but in a great effort. Gavin Kavanagh eventually split the navan defense and was held up just short of the try line. Quick recycled ball by Tiarnan Walsh allowed Cormac Yore touch down. Navan equalised shortly after with some good forwards play. Once again the bubbly Ben Tierney opened up the Navan defence line to but Virginia back in the lead. Another long passage followed,once again good tackling from both teams which kept the score board static..John O Donoghue’s good pace allowed him to make gound for Virginia with both Aran and Dara O’Hanlon supporting his forward advances. Just before the final whistle Navan managed to force the ball over the Virginia try line leaving this competitive game a draw.
Game 3: Virginia v Navan Team 3.
All the players were feeling the effects of the cold weather and the heavy pitch conditions for their last game. Navan proved the stronger of the two teams running in 4 tries. Virginia’s only try was scored direct from the restart with Oisin Raymond tapping and passing to Ben Tierney who raced past 5 players to touch down in the corner.
Squad: Kaleb Cummins, Ben Tierney, Tiernan Walsh, Fionn Lovett, Gordon Lochaden, Harry Leddy, Karl Farrelly, Cormac Yore, Oisin Raymond, Aran O’Hanlon, Dara O’Hanlon, John O’Donoghue, Noah Lotscher, Caolan Fegan, Nathan Levy- Valens, Gavain Kavanagh.
Virginia RFC would like to thank our hosts Navan RFC for their hospitality.
