This week's Club & Community Bulletin includes information on a recruitment drive for girls rugby, the latest Ulster Carpets Youth Cup draws, Inishowen RFC's Annual Golf Classic and a match report from the Nutty Krust Tournament.
ULSTER RUGBY LAUNCHES SIGNIFICANT RECRUITMENT DRIVE FOR GIRLS RUGBY
Ulster Rugby has begun an intensive recruitment campaign for girls youth rugby, with a particular focus on U12 Girls Minis.
Nine Club Community Rugby Officers (CCROs) have been given additional hours to focus solely on the development of girls rugby, while three additional temporary part-time coaches have also been appointed with the same remit.
These coaches are in schools across the Province throughout January, February and March. The project will culminate with an U12 girls-only blitz, which will be held on Sunday 13th March.
The following cubs are actively seeking U12 girls and volunteers to assist with the running of the girls mini section: Armagh, Ballyclare, Ballynahinch, City of Derry, Clogher Valley, Cooke, Donaghadee, Dungannon, Enniskillen, Limavady, Lurgan, Malone, Randalstown, Virginia.
If you are keen to get involved, have a daughter who might like to give rugby a try, or perhaps your daughter is already playing and would be keen to get involved in the U12 Blitz on 13th March, then please contact Ulster Rugby's Female Rugby Officer, Neal Johnston: (0044) 7767 115 764 / Neal.Johnston@ulsterrugby.com.
ULSTER CARPETS YOUTH CUP DRAWS MADE
The draws for the Ulster Carpets U14, U16 and U18 Youth Cups was made by Paul Hart at the Youth Committee meeting this week.
Ulster Carpets U14 Cup Draw:
Larne or Virginia 2nds v Ballymoney
Monaghan v Ballyclare
Virginia v Lurgan
Clogher Valley v Ards
Omagh v Malone
Dromore v Ballymena
Randalstown v Finn Valley
Letterkenny v Enniskillen
Cavan v Donegal
Instonians v Armagh
Carrick v Banbridge
Inishowen v Donegal
City of Derry v Portadown
Newry v Coleraine
Ballynahinch v Rainey
Ballyshannon v Limavady or Civil Service
Ulster Carpets U16 Cup Draw:
Ballymoney v Coleraine
Monaghan v Ballyshannon
Lisburn v Inishowen
Instonians v Randalstown
Omagh v Malone
Ballymena v Dromore
Virginia v Enniskillen
Finn Valley v Rainey
Portadown v Newry
City of Derry v Carrick
Ballynahinch v Cavan
Dungannon v Letterkenny
Armagh v Ophir
Banbridge v Donegal
Civil Service v Larne
Bye - Ballyclare
Ulster Carpets U18 Cup Draw:
Ballyshannon v Banbridge
City of Derry v Clogher Valley
Armagh v Malone
Enniskillen v Ards
Ballynahinch v Coleraine
Ballymoney v Ophir
Letterkenny v Dungannon
Lisburn v Donegal
Carrick v Ballyclare
Dromore v Randalstown
Finn Valley v Ballymena
Cavan v Rainey
Instonians v Virginia
Byes: Monaghan, Newry, Omagh
INISHOWEN RFC TO HOST ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC
Inishowen RFC will hold their Annual Golf Classic on Saturday July 2nd at Ballyliffin Golf Club.
This is the club’s major fundraiser of the year and they would welcome any visiting teams from across Ulster.
Tee times are not normally available until a few weeks before hand but for more info, please contact John Keyes: jcakeyes@hotmail.com.
DROMORE PREOGRESS IN NUTTY KRUST TOURNAMENT
The second of this season’s games in the Nutty Krust U18 Tournament saw current holders, Dromore, record a 34-5 win over Ballymena, having built up a 19-0 lead by the break.
The Dromore team, with the wind in their backs, started the game well and dominated territory and possession in the opening exchanges. They took an early lead when Oliver Beattie crashed over the Ballymena line to touch down for a try following a Dromore lineout. Aaron Atkinson added the extras.
Soon after, a well organised counter attack by Dromore was finished off by the impressive Mattie McMaster who scored close to the posts. Atkinson was successful with the conversion to increase the Dromore lead to 14-0.
The Dromore team continued to dominate the exchanges but the Ballymena defence worked hard to keep them out. That was until just before the break when Aaron Atkinson made a great break from broken play and finished off with an unconverted try to see the Dromore U18 team into the break with a secure 19-0 lead.
Dromore kept the pressure on the Ballymena defence in the early stages of the second half. They had the opportunity for an early try but good defence from Ballymena players such as Callum Balmer, Josh Henry and Joshua Loggerenberg ensured the opportunity was lost.
Eventually the Dromore pressure did pay off when their fullback, Matthew Jennings, displayed great skill and awareness to touch down for a try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the Dromore team now had a 24-0 lead, as well as a try bonus point.
The Ballymena team responded in a very positive manner and their hard working back row trio of Evan Clayton, Sean McCormick and David Fullerton got them into strong positions on a number of occasions. From a 5m metre penalty the ball was moved to the narrow side, quickly recycled, and then moved to the open side of the pitch. The Ballymena fullback, Callum Balmer, took full advantage of the space in front of him to touch down for a try in the corner.
Midway through the second period the Dromore centre, Cameron Shakesby, made a great break from midfield. He was tackled by a couple of defenders but a clever off-load found Kalem Travers running a great support line. Kalem finished off with a deserved try, which went unconverted, to see the Dromore team into a 29-5 lead.
The Ballymena spirit never dropped and they came close to scoring on a number of occasions. Caelen McLaughlin, Josh Henry and Shaun McCormick all got through a lot of work for the Ballymena team at this stage of the game. However, the Dromore team sealed their 34-5 victory with the final play off the game.
Thomas Kileff, Atkinson, Cameron Shakesby, Elliott Forbes and Kalem Travers were all involved before Cameron touched down for the unconverted try which secured the 34-5 victory for the Dromore U18 team.
As usual with the Nutty Krust Tournament the players all received a post-match meal which was sponsored by Jim Hewitt Meats, prepared by the staff in ‘Scrummies’ kitchen and organised by the ever present Sid Rowe. All players, as well as their coaches, received a Nutty Krust loaf on departure.
The President of the Ulster Branch, IRFU, Bobby Stewart, took time out of his busy schedule to attend the match and present the Nutty Krust ‘Man of the Match’ Award to the impressive Dromore flanker, Kalem Travers.
The last of the first round group stage games in the 2016 Nutty Krust Tournament will feature Armagh v Malone at 7.45pm on Wednesday 10th February. All supporters will be made to feel very welcome.
ULSTER RUGBY LAUNCHES SIGNIFICANT RECRUITMENT DRIVE FOR GIRLS RUGBY
Ulster Rugby has begun an intensive recruitment campaign for girls youth rugby, with a particular focus on U12 Girls Minis.
Nine Club Community Rugby Officers (CCROs) have been given additional hours to focus solely on the development of girls rugby, while three additional temporary part-time coaches have also been appointed with the same remit.
These coaches are in schools across the Province throughout January, February and March. The project will culminate with an U12 girls-only blitz, which will be held on Sunday 13th March.
The following cubs are actively seeking U12 girls and volunteers to assist with the running of the girls mini section: Armagh, Ballyclare, Ballynahinch, City of Derry, Clogher Valley, Cooke, Donaghadee, Dungannon, Enniskillen, Limavady, Lurgan, Malone, Randalstown, Virginia.
If you are keen to get involved, have a daughter who might like to give rugby a try, or perhaps your daughter is already playing and would be keen to get involved in the U12 Blitz on 13th March, then please contact Ulster Rugby's Female Rugby Officer, Neal Johnston: (0044) 7767 115 764 / Neal.Johnston@ulsterrugby.com.
ULSTER CARPETS YOUTH CUP DRAWS MADE
The draws for the Ulster Carpets U14, U16 and U18 Youth Cups was made by Paul Hart at the Youth Committee meeting this week.
Ulster Carpets U14 Cup Draw:
Larne or Virginia 2nds v Ballymoney
Monaghan v Ballyclare
Virginia v Lurgan
Clogher Valley v Ards
Omagh v Malone
Dromore v Ballymena
Randalstown v Finn Valley
Letterkenny v Enniskillen
Cavan v Donegal
Instonians v Armagh
Carrick v Banbridge
Inishowen v Donegal
City of Derry v Portadown
Newry v Coleraine
Ballynahinch v Rainey
Ballyshannon v Limavady or Civil Service
Ulster Carpets U16 Cup Draw:
Ballymoney v Coleraine
Monaghan v Ballyshannon
Lisburn v Inishowen
Instonians v Randalstown
Omagh v Malone
Ballymena v Dromore
Virginia v Enniskillen
Finn Valley v Rainey
Portadown v Newry
City of Derry v Carrick
Ballynahinch v Cavan
Dungannon v Letterkenny
Armagh v Ophir
Banbridge v Donegal
Civil Service v Larne
Bye - Ballyclare
Ulster Carpets U18 Cup Draw:
Ballyshannon v Banbridge
City of Derry v Clogher Valley
Armagh v Malone
Enniskillen v Ards
Ballynahinch v Coleraine
Ballymoney v Ophir
Letterkenny v Dungannon
Lisburn v Donegal
Carrick v Ballyclare
Dromore v Randalstown
Finn Valley v Ballymena
Cavan v Rainey
Instonians v Virginia
Byes: Monaghan, Newry, Omagh
INISHOWEN RFC TO HOST ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC
Inishowen RFC will hold their Annual Golf Classic on Saturday July 2nd at Ballyliffin Golf Club.
This is the club’s major fundraiser of the year and they would welcome any visiting teams from across Ulster.
Tee times are not normally available until a few weeks before hand but for more info, please contact John Keyes: jcakeyes@hotmail.com.
DROMORE PREOGRESS IN NUTTY KRUST TOURNAMENT
The second of this season’s games in the Nutty Krust U18 Tournament saw current holders, Dromore, record a 34-5 win over Ballymena, having built up a 19-0 lead by the break.
The Dromore team, with the wind in their backs, started the game well and dominated territory and possession in the opening exchanges. They took an early lead when Oliver Beattie crashed over the Ballymena line to touch down for a try following a Dromore lineout. Aaron Atkinson added the extras.
Soon after, a well organised counter attack by Dromore was finished off by the impressive Mattie McMaster who scored close to the posts. Atkinson was successful with the conversion to increase the Dromore lead to 14-0.
The Dromore team continued to dominate the exchanges but the Ballymena defence worked hard to keep them out. That was until just before the break when Aaron Atkinson made a great break from broken play and finished off with an unconverted try to see the Dromore U18 team into the break with a secure 19-0 lead.
Dromore kept the pressure on the Ballymena defence in the early stages of the second half. They had the opportunity for an early try but good defence from Ballymena players such as Callum Balmer, Josh Henry and Joshua Loggerenberg ensured the opportunity was lost.
Eventually the Dromore pressure did pay off when their fullback, Matthew Jennings, displayed great skill and awareness to touch down for a try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the Dromore team now had a 24-0 lead, as well as a try bonus point.
The Ballymena team responded in a very positive manner and their hard working back row trio of Evan Clayton, Sean McCormick and David Fullerton got them into strong positions on a number of occasions. From a 5m metre penalty the ball was moved to the narrow side, quickly recycled, and then moved to the open side of the pitch. The Ballymena fullback, Callum Balmer, took full advantage of the space in front of him to touch down for a try in the corner.
Midway through the second period the Dromore centre, Cameron Shakesby, made a great break from midfield. He was tackled by a couple of defenders but a clever off-load found Kalem Travers running a great support line. Kalem finished off with a deserved try, which went unconverted, to see the Dromore team into a 29-5 lead.
The Ballymena spirit never dropped and they came close to scoring on a number of occasions. Caelen McLaughlin, Josh Henry and Shaun McCormick all got through a lot of work for the Ballymena team at this stage of the game. However, the Dromore team sealed their 34-5 victory with the final play off the game.
Thomas Kileff, Atkinson, Cameron Shakesby, Elliott Forbes and Kalem Travers were all involved before Cameron touched down for the unconverted try which secured the 34-5 victory for the Dromore U18 team.
As usual with the Nutty Krust Tournament the players all received a post-match meal which was sponsored by Jim Hewitt Meats, prepared by the staff in ‘Scrummies’ kitchen and organised by the ever present Sid Rowe. All players, as well as their coaches, received a Nutty Krust loaf on departure.
The President of the Ulster Branch, IRFU, Bobby Stewart, took time out of his busy schedule to attend the match and present the Nutty Krust ‘Man of the Match’ Award to the impressive Dromore flanker, Kalem Travers.
The last of the first round group stage games in the 2016 Nutty Krust Tournament will feature Armagh v Malone at 7.45pm on Wednesday 10th February. All supporters will be made to feel very welcome.