Great performance by Virginia RFC Under 15’s
Cavan RFC – 9 trys
Virginia RFC – 1 try
Virginia U15`s started off their season with a trip to Cavan on Saturday last September 10th. The game proved to be a one sided affair with Virginia running in nine tries to Cavan`s one. Try scorers on the day were Jason Mc Mahon, Niall Farrelly, Eoin Sommerville, Ben Conaty, Daire Mc Enroe (3), Darren Brady and Dylan Farrelly. A special mention must go to Daniel Faulkner, Doughty and Dylan Farrelly who just moved up from U13 level and performed well on the day.
Our next match is away to Portadown on Sat 17th.
Virginia RFC Under 13’s prove too strong for Cavan RFC
Virginia U13 kicked off the 2011-12 season with a hard fought win away at Swellan Park, Cavan. Both teams fielded bigger and stronger squads and were very well matched physically. Virginia won the toss and played with the very strong wind behind their backs. From the start Virginia looked to move the ball wide to their pacey backs based on the strength of strong rucking by the forwards, especially Shane Doughty, Luke Sherriff and Conor Cahill.
Despite the strong wind behind Virginia, Cavan pegged Virginia deep in their own half for much of the first quarter. Great tackling in the Virginia back line by Daragh Kiernan and Rory Bett stopping Cavan reaching the try line in the corner. The wind also caused havoc with the line outs and a lot of crooked ball meant a lot of scrums. The Virginia scrum was solid and with second row pair Oisin Rahill and Liam Maguire locking the front row in place time and again to secure Virginia ball.
After being pinned in their own half Virginia finally broke free of the Cavan defence near the end of the first half. After 3 consecutive rucks going forward the tenacious Nathan McQuade finally got quick ball from his pack and sensing some gaps fed out to waiting open side flanker Lee Burdis. Lee saw the field open up and with power and speed galloped beyond the chasing Cavan backs, running half of the pitch in the process, to score a try. The wind stopped Nathan McCabe converting and soon the referee blew the whistle for half time.
Virginia faced the conditions in the second half head on. Cavan kicked sensibly to put the Virginia pack under pressure. However, with some half time changes Virginia put in James Smith at full back and immediately he made an impact by catching and running at the Cavan defence, causing mayhem in their back line. Virginia continued to be magnificent in the tackle with Charlie Reilly and Michael Gordon disrupting Cavan at each phase.
With Nathan McCabe marshalling his backs into position Virginia finally made space with some tremendous passing and handling in the backs. This created space for new boy Conor Farrelly who raced down the left wing to score a brilliant try to top off his excellent all round play.
Cavan now stepped up their game and put huge pressure on Virginia. However, Virginia fronted up and made tackle after tackle near the try line as Cavan moved the ball across the field. The Cavan backs made amazing cluster tackles with David Costello and Peter Nulty on each wing saving Virginia on a number of occasions.
At this point Virginia stopped trying to kick their way out against the wind and gave their forwards a chance to carry. The front row headed the charge and Virginia utilised the power of Oisin Kiernan to gain territory and establish a platform for the backs to work from. After another strong scrum for Virginia they moved the ball from the base out to the backs and Lee Burdis joined them from the No.7 spot and made another break through the gaps in the Cavan back line. After a strong chase he finally touched down between the posts. Jamie Smith converted to make it 17-0 and the referee called time soon after. Final score Cavan 0, Virginia 17.
Well done to all lads. A truly great effort all round from all of the squad. Training on Tuesday at 1930 with an away game vs Portadown next Saturday.
