U16s Record Comfortable Victory Away to Dungannon RFC
Despite the change in the weather, the U16s were still met with a glorious morning for rugby last Saturday as they travelled to Co Tyrone to take on Dungannon RFC. A stiff test was expected as the opposition had started the season strongly with just one defeat so far. First starts were handed out to Jamie Osbourne at loose-head and Ryan Shiels in the second row, with both giving good accounts of themselves.
The team as a whole put on a dominant performance, running in eleven trys without reply, with an excellent kicking performance from Aaron Mannion converting six of them. The scrum performed admirably against a much larger pack with Evan Charters, John Smyth and Aaron Hawthorne providing the ballast, and Cai Walker and Adrian Lynch lightning around the breakdown securing plenty of ball for the backs. Half backs Adam Sherriff and Adam Charters were quick to get the ball moving both forward and wide, with Aaron Kierans providing an excellent link between them and the outside backs. The bench was used to the full early in the second half allowing Callum Finane, Jason Henderson, Killian Collins and Niall Carolan plenty of opportunity to stake their claim for a start the following week.
The final score was 67-0, and try scorers were Mark Gilsenan x 4, Martin O’Connell x 2, Rioghan Smith x 2, and one apiece from Jamie Davidson, Jamie Osbourne, and Paddy Gordon. That’s six wins from six games now for the U16s, leaving them on top of the Ulster South Regional League. Next week they welcome Omagh RFC to the Deerpark.
U14s make it six out of six in Dungannon.
Virginia RFC U14s made the trip to Dungannon Rfc for their 6th league game in the morning sunshine.
Dungannon made the stronger start as Virginia looked rusty after the Halloween break, capitalising on lazy defence the home side were 12-0 up after 7 mins. Team captain Conor Nulty was having none of it though, and led by example with three tries in quick succession, Virginia were on the up. With good work from the forwards rewarded with a try from Mark Gibney the visitors went into the break 24-12 up.
The second half was all Virginia, Jake White-Duffy the first to score, Nathan Tobin ran in two tries, Mark forced his way over for his second, and Conor capped it off with his fourth. With 6 conversions from Jake it brought the final score to 55-12. Good performances all round with Killian Smith and Tyrone Tynan making their first league starts, and good to have Ryan McGuigan back in the squad.
U9s have great day out in Dundalk
Virginia RFC U9s Travelled to Dundalk on Sunday with fire in their bellies following Ireland’s historic win over New Zealand determined to emulate their heroes in Soldier Field and boy did they do that. 14 players travelled and were split into two teams to play against strong opposition.
Team 1 quickly set about establishing the pattern of the game with strong lung bursting runs throughout from debutant Sarah Smith along with her namesake Dylan they set up a platform for Odhran, Joanne and Alex to ruck and tackle like terriers. With all three playing like dervishes. All of the great work gave Brian and Matt the freedom to freewheel about the paddock seemingly untouchable to the grasps of the home team. Suffice it to say there were tries aplenty with Joanne crossing the whitewash for her maiden try and Alex adding to his growing tally. Several others got on the scoresheet. Both matches played ending up in victories for the visitors.
Team 2 played their matches in a similar fashion with James and Ronan tackling the stipples of the ball! Every time a player was grounded Evan rucked two or three Dundalk players back over the ball. Isaac also tackled everything that moved and every time he got the ball Virginia seemed to score. All this great work meant that Roisin and Tom had the freedom to roam free allowing the team to seemingly score tries at will with Tom’s quick feet bringing him through and around most players in his way and Roisin’s ability to spot a gap and lay the ball off meant the team were on the front foot continuously. Lest we forget, Elinor a fearless competitor was at the bottom of most of the rucks, was in every scrum & lineout as well as tackling anything that moved.
When both teams weren’t scoring their tackling, rucking and mauling was a sight to behold. All in all a sensational performance from all involved and along with great fun had on the pitch our gracious hosts provided a fantastic welcome and a great feed afterwards. We look forward to welcoming them to Deer Park in the near future.
Team 1: Alex Dowd, Odhran Reilly, Sarah Smith, Dylan Smith, Brian McCormack, Matt Lynch, Joanne Gibney
Team 2: Elinor Van Lill, Isaac O’Neill, Evan Clarke, Ronan McLaughlin, Roisin O’Donoghue, James Lennon, Tom Murphy
