Newry RFC - 3

Virginia RFC - 24

Virginia RFC u17s travelled to Newry on Saturday morning in their ongoing league campaign. After a hasty warm up the match started off at a fierce pace with Newry putting on severe pressure for the first 20 minutes in which time the Virginia defence held strongly conceding only 3 points from a penalty kick during the Newry packs bombardment.

From the restart Virginia began to give Newry a taste of their own medicine with the Virginia forwards pounding holes into the oppositions defence. This set the trend for the rest of the game with the pack driving through phase after phase then letting out to the backs. The half time whistle sounded with Virginia leading 7-3.

After an encouraging team talk from Captain Liam Gordon the Virginia side went back onto the field with their heads up. After some hard hitting rugby and an injury to a Newry prop the scrums were made uncontested giving Newry a slight advantage. However this was put away by a brilliant try from Jack Tighe running the pitch after stealing the ball from the Newry ruck. The game ended with Virginia beating Newry 24-3.

The lads all look forward to their next match against Clogher Valley at home on the 11th of November

Virginia under 17,s got their new season off to winning ways at Swellan park on Saturday last despite not having the services of their regular number 8 and out-half who were away on Ulster duty. After a lovely address from Mr,Alan Lewis the teams took to the field and despite the strong wind in their faces in the first half Virginia went to the break 18-6 ahead.

The second half with the wind behind him saw Shane Mc Manus able to kick for field position which the pack and the back line relished in with the score at full time 39-6.

Try scorers on the day, Paul Mc Cabe, Shane Mc Manus, Seamus Cunningham, Christopher Corrie, Killian Smith.

Virginia U.17s hosted Ballinahinch on Saturday the 2nd of april in the Cup quarter final. Having made the long journey Ballyahinch were under severe pressure in the first half of the game and the hosts were unlucky not to have a try under their belts at half time with both sides going into the break nil all. Virginia were the first to score 10 minutes into the second half with a beautifully struck penalty from Shane Mc Manus. However, Ballinahinch seemed to be recovering from the long bus journey and after 10 minutes of phase after phase attack they scored a well executed try in the corner which was not converted.

With the score at 5-3 Virginia were still in the hunt and were piling on the pressure when a longclearing field kick from Ballynahinch saw the ball bouce up perfectly for a chasing second row who touched the ball down between the posts breaking Virginia's hearts.With only 4 minutes to go Virginia tried to rally together once more but conceaded another penalty which Ballynahinch converted from the touch line leaving the final score of 15-3 to Ballynahinch.

The game brought an end to Virginia's competitive season but with most of the team still U17 next season we look forward to it with great enthusiasm.

Players from Virginia RFC in this photo include:

Don Mullan, Chris Corry, Killian Smith,
Seamus Cunningham, Shane Mc Manus, Dylan Mc Aleer

Ulster Players Come to Virginia R.F.C

On Wednesday 16th March both Virginia R.F.C and Cavan R.F.C committee members met with Ulster branch officers in the Virginia club to discuss the future of rugby within the county. Following the meeting, a rather eventful night commenced with the Virginia R.F.C under 17’s being given a training session under the guidance of two Ulster rugby stars Ian Humphries and B.J Botha along with Ulster club development officers Matthew McWeeney (Virginia) and Malcolm Allister (Cavan). The training session went very well with Ian Humphries lending some advice to the Virginia backs while B.J Botha conversed with the Virginia forwards. Both Ulster Players were impressed with the size of the panel and the vast Ability the Virginia under 17’s had for such a rural club away from the major hub of rugby in Ulster. After the session had ended the Ulster players signed balls and jerseys for all the kids and players from the club who had come down to support. The Ulster players left shortly after the opening of the newly renovated club bar, just in time for Paddy’s day and the final weekend of 6 Nations rugby which turn out to very good for the club. On a final note Virginia R.F.C would like to thank the Ulster branch and the Ulster players for coming down for the eventful night along with all the club members for supporting the club over the final week of 6 Nations rugby leaving the country on a high note from the final day win over England and the Virginia R.F.C club on a immensely happy note.

Virginia under 17’s return to winning ways with an enthralling encounter at Deerpark on Saturday morning.

The game started with Virginia scoring a well executed try with Raymond Lynch, Full Back, touching down in the corner.

Clogher Valley replied with a converted try subsequently followed by a well taken penalty. Virginia closed ranks with some superb set piece play from the pack delivering excellent ball to the back line who ran amuck. The first half ended Virginia leading, but only by a handful of points. Virginia commenced the second half with their heads up but knowing that the game was not yet over. Clogher Valley kicked off the second half but were met by, Captain Liam Gordon, charging back at them with ball in hand which set the stage for the remainder of the game in which Virginia dominated. Following a defeat to Clogher Valley the previous week, this Large U17 squad displayed a wonderful sense of spirit and commitment and pride in their club by stepping up their performance compared to their last outing.

The U17 squad eagerly await their visit to Enniskillen next Saturday for their fourth league game of the season.