11/04/2022
Enniskillen u14 girls travelled to Rainey, Magherafelt for the League finals on a still but bitterly cold day with the prospect of a final against Virginia, a team which have defeated Skins twice this season. On the way to Magherafelt the Skins bus, despite several attempts, was unable to pass the Virginia bus on the dual carriageway which could have been an ominous sign!!
The 1st game, a semi final vs a hybrid Inishowen/Letterkenny/Limavady side provided Skins with a highly physical challenge which would set the tone for the day ahead. From the off, some great pick and goes from Kelly Burford were met with stern resistance from Limavady and the Skins girls soon learned that their progression to the final would not be a forgone conclusion. Orlaigh Maguire was immediately into the action and took a superb line from Hannah Killfeder off a scrum releasing Natalie Turner to sprint clear from halfway giving Skins a deserved lead. Skins then absorbed a considerable amount of Limavady pressure eventually resulting in a try. The tally could have been increased except for some fantastic cover tackling by Rhianna Mulligan. It wasn’t long until sister Julia Mulligan made a break to put away Natalie again to beat 3 defenders and score in the corner and leave it 2-1 at the break.
Rhea Cartin-McCloskey restarted, taking over kicking duties from the injured playmaker Eve Balfour, kicking deep and with some great jackling by Mollly Magee and Jessica Kingston, after several phases of play Orlaigh went over for her trademark try leaving the score 3-1 to Skins. After a bruising spell Limavady went over for a try from a scrum heightening tensions in the considerable skins support. None more so than after try machine Natalie was taken off injured. Limavady were putting together many phases of play and with skins behind their own line a deft chip kick from Rhea bounced beautifully into Julia’s hands who sprinted clear to score and give skins the cushion they needed at 4-2. Rebecca Read was defending well against some strong Limavady ball carriers and Rhea cleared again from behind the Skins try line to end the game and fulfill their destiny to meet Virginia in the Ulster final!
Final vs Virginia
Virginia kicked off to skins and Kelly responded with some hard running with ball in hand, linking well with Jessica and Rhea. Ellie Gordon was carrying well too with Molly providing support to Julia who made a great break passing to Jessica and then Kelly crashed over from short distance. Virginia responded soon after splitting their backs at a scrum and cutting back to score in the corner, 1-1. Molly soon had the ball over the Virginia line but was agonisingly held up. A penalty to skins was tapped by the inspirational captain, Sarah Johnston and after some great recycling of ball Alice Reynolds cut a clever line back on the diagonal from her wing giving skins a 2-1 lead. Rhianna and Jessica continued to work hard at the breakdown, tidying up loose ball and supporting Orlaigh on her powerful runs. Natalie then made a superb break and was tackled on the line which was subsequently deemed high and a penalty try was awarded on the stoke of half time leaving Virginia 2 points down at the break. Virginia started the second half with a determination not to lose their perfect record against skins never mind in the last 15 mins of the Ulster final. After a period of sustained pressure and several penalties on their own line, Skin’s line was eventually breached. Orlaigh was soon held up over the Virginia line and after several phases, Virginia counterattacked and with some powerful running scored to leave it 3-3 and a cup to play for with only several minutes left. Orlaigh was soon to be held up yet again over the Virginia line leaving even the most ardent of Skins fans to wonder if this might be yet another one of ‘those days!’ Abbie McCarthy Magwood entered the fray, on as a blood replacement for Molly and immediately got involved. Natalie, recognising Virginia were a team very capable of tactical kicking, read a kick perfectly, running for the corner and after quick ball from Sarah, Kelly went back against the grain and scored with the last play of the game to win and make it 3rd time lucky against Virginia and more importantly seal the league victory for skins and to begin a day of triple celebrations that the players, coaches and supporters of Enniskillen Rugby Club will never forget.
For the entire club and the U14s in particular this game marked the start of one of the most special of days. It all began last Autumn when a group of girls made up of several rugby players but mostly girls who were complete beginners to the game, started a journey which, after much hard work, determination and fun became league winners at their first attempt. Credit must go not only to the players who took the field during the final, but to the entire squad who all contributed to the season’s success. As coaches and parents we are all very proud of how they conducted themselves in victory and defeat and look forward to seeing what the next season holds for them all.
Report - Rodney Kingston
