Rainey and Virginia met in the first of the Youth League Semi Finals held on Sunday 30th March. The match was played at Rainey RFC, with Rainey gained home advantage due to their success at the top of their League Region. 

The match got off to a somewhat frantic start, with both sides suffering pre-match nerves; however Virginia were the first to settle, putting pressure on the Rainey defence. Rainey responded with some great tackles, seeing off this initial surge, however, some great offloading by the Virginia backs created the space for their full back to run in for the first score. This was converted by Erin Byrne to make the score 7-0.

After the kick off, Rainey produced a number of good phases and were rewarded with two penalties in the space of 5 minutes, however neither of these resulted in a score, with both going wide. Not to be put off, Rainey continued to pressurise Virginia with a series of impressive box kicks and attacking moves created by their scrum half, Leola Mc Erlane. Despite constant pressure Virginia held strong with great clearing kicks from their full back. Minutes before half time, the Rainey scrum- half picked up at the back of the scrum and darted down the pitch, managing to side- step the Rainey defence on the way. Just metres from the line, she was stopped in her tracks by the Virginia no.5 who managed an excellent cover tackle to prevent a score. The half time whistle blew with the scoreline remaining 7-o to Virginia.

The second half began well for the visitors; with their number 3 winning the kick-off catch. She made a great run with the ball, quickly transferring it from scrum half, Alannah Fowley to her inside partner Casha Wlodarski. Wlodarski then took the ball upfield, offloading a great over- the- shoulder pass to her scrum half, who in turn passed the ball to number 5. The result was a corner score by number 14. This was a breathtaking try and an excellent testament to the great skills and running rugby being practised by young side. Despite missing the conversion, Virginia still led 12-0.

Rainey began to attack, putting strong pressure on Virginia with some great forward play. Things finally began to look up for the home side, when a penalty was awarded, resulting in a score by the Rainey 10, making the score 12-3. Keen to secure their place in the final, Virginia hit back with an excellent scrum on half way, which led to their inside centre bursting through and passing the ball to her outside partner who scored another well-worked try. The conversion was scored by the number 10, Erin Byrne, and the score now sat at 19-3 to the visitors. From the kick- off, the ball was well caught by Virginia’s number 5, and was quickly rucked and passed to the Virginia 10, who weaved her way around the Rainey defence and managed to score an excellent solo try from half way. Even though she missed the conversion, Virginia were now well in control of the scoreboard at 24-3.

Despite the game drawing to a close, Virginia were not about to give up on their scoring attempts and continued to show impressive continuity and off-loads by their backs. Particularly impressive was the great pass by number 13 to her inside partner, Casha Vlodarski, resulting in a try under the posts. Erin Byrne converted to push the score to 31-3. Rainey refused to give up, keeping up the pressure in the closing minutes in an eager attempt to score. But as ever, Virginia defended well, with great tackles by number 7, Shaunagh Keogan and srum half, Alannah Fowley who both had very solid games.

In the end it wasn’t to be for Rainey, despite some excellent individual performances, notably from their scrum half Leola Mc Erlane, as well as the number 1. It was an excellent performance by the visitors with great individual runs and a fine team performance that produced a significant win.

Virginia will now play the winners of the second semi final that will take place on Sunday 6th April at Rainey RFC between Letterkenny and Malone RFC kick off 11am.