Carrickfergus RFC Youth Notes: A Red Letterkenny Day: U17s 78 v Letterkenny RFc U17s 0 & U15s 5 v Letterkenny RFC U15s 0 + U13s 12 v Letterkenny RFC U13s 22: REPORTS LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Team Opponent Result H/A
Under 17 Letterkenny 78-0 A
Under 15 Letterkenny 5-0 A
Under 13 Letterkenny 12-22 A

Red Letterkenny Day

Carrickfergus RFC U17s -78 Letterkenny RFC U17s – 0

On a journey into the unknown Carrick U17s unshackled themselves from rugby convention & played with an abandon & freedom which yielded them a 78 points to nil scoreline against Letterkenny U17s.
Seizing the initiative was key to success with Carrick going into a well structured & highly intensive warm up.
This brought dividends with an opening blitz of tries from Conor Cambridge & Jake Porter with Wallace converting the formers effort.
If the backs were asking questions it was due to the production line of quick ball from the forwards with excellent support play not allowing the ball to go dead.
Wallace added a brace of tries & conversions of his own either side of a Mike Whittle touchdown before wingman Dylan McDowell scorched in from a turnover & quick hands left “Kenny” flatfooted.
Just when it looked that half time was due John Stewart stole yet another tackle zone ball to burst free to score, Wallace added the conversion.
The second half burst into life with the inside backs producing a warm up rehearsed move for Calum Wilson to strike on a great angle to score at the posts. Wallace one again obliged.
The same player produce a trademark mazey run to add another seven points before cleaver work in the 15 metre channel saw Cambridge dance through for his second, Wallace again converting.
The ball was spread wide once again for McDowell to score wide out with the bonus points tacked on.
The referee called final play with “Kenny” in possession with the Carrick touchline calling for a turnover & play to the death.
The magnificent Carrick forwards obliged & swept downfield for McDowell once again to gather a delicate chip from Wallace to score his hat trick of tries,the conversion was added for a 78 point haul.
Although it was the backs that grabbed the glory it was the forwards that paved the way with Rory Magill & Matt Best carrying strongly aided by Corey Kelly & James Carson.
Jake Gardener provided the linkwork in a superb effort.
Although the ball did not always flow Jamie McCrackens way a flawless defensive game was displayed.

Sterner tests to come, the work start again Wednesday night 7pm sharp.

Carrickfergus RFC U15s -5 Letterkenny RFC U15s – 0

After an early start and a long bus journey, Carrickfergus U15’s started their first league match against a much bigger Letterkenny team and began playing up hill and into a stiff breeze. The home side started well and used the hill and the wind to their advantage and had Carrickfergus under pressure for most of the first half. The travelling side stuck to their guns, tackled and rucked like their lives depended on it. Sterling work from the back row of Jordan Devenny , Gareth Hartley and Kylan McCleery spoilt everything that the home team tried to do. The heart stopping first half ended 0 – 0.

At half time the coaches complimented the boys on their bravery and solid defence up to now but now they needed to go on and win the game.
The second half began and the boys in red and black caught Letterkenny of guard as Dan McBurney picked up from the back of a ruck and broke through three Letterkenny missed tackles and ran 30 metres to score under the posts. Unfortunately the kick was unconverted. Letterkenny came back strong but again the Carrick defence was up to the task and brave efforts by all 18 players who made the long trip thwarted the home team’s efforts. The Carrick guys were unable to sustain any meaningful attack due to the home sides continued efforts.
All credit must go to the visiting team whose defence stood strong all day including the 11 minutes of injury time that was played. The second half finished with the teams separated by the solitary score.

Man of the Match: Jordan Devenney.

Carrick were unable to make it a clean sweep with the U13s side going down 22-12 to a very strong and well organised Letterkenny side. Although only 7-5 down at the interval it was the home side who had the better second half outscoring the visitors three tries to one in the second period of play. Coaches Andy Bell and Luke Retford had many positives to take out of the game and look forward to next weeks tough challenge at home to Banbridge. Special mention to new U13s team manager Lydia Lusty……..outstanding sandwiches on the long bus journey!