The Owl 2011 The team started their season nervously, lacking in organisation and confidence. This resulted in five losses in the first six games against Ballyclare, MCB, Sullivan, Wallace and Ballymena. The boys worked tirelessly in these games, but unfortunately the strength and power of the opposition overcame our spirited performances. However, there were many positives that resulted from these defeats, in terms of commitment, determination and improved organisation. Note-worthy moments were Jack Gill’s try against Sullivan and Michael Wilson and Scott Macaulay scoring tries against Ballymena. Their only success in a disappointing start to the season came in an 8-5 win against Lurgan Junior High School with Johnny Mooney scoring the all-important winning try.
and best teams that the Under 13 team played, Limavady. Our try total throughout these matches was impressive with Sean Rice, Lewis Donaldson, Scott Macauley, Roy Chia, Jack Gill, Gareth McAdams, Connor Boyd, Michael Wilson, Chris McLoughlin, James Reid, Johnny Mooney and Mark Caughey all contributing tries.
After this difficult first month and a half the boys found a forgotten determination to succeed. They picked themselves up, trained with intensity and heart, and went on to produce some excellent performances in the middle third of the season.
In the last games of the season the boys defeated Dalriada 21-0; Bangor 7-5; lost 36-0 to Wallace; and beat Catholic University School 57-19 on the team’s trip to Dublin to watch Ireland’s historic win over England in the Six Nations at the Aviva Stadium. This was a perfect end to an enjoyable season.
This turn-a-round in the team’s fortunes began with a resounding win against Dungannon at Roughfort in October. The boys powered to a 57-5 win, with three tries from Jack Gill, two from Johnny Mooney, one from the ever impressive and very talented Gareth McAdams, and one each from Scott Macaulay, Francis Collins and Roy Chia. This was followed up with a hard earned win against Bangor, 38-10, with three tries from Jack Gill and the other tries being scored by Lewis Donaldson, Sean Rice and Scott Macaulay. This good form continued against Foyle and Londonderry College when the team played some of its best rugby of the season to record a 43-5 win. Connor Boyd scored a hat-trick of tries on the left wing, with Chris McLoughlin, Johnny Mooney, Ben Sayers and Jack Gill scoring one each. The team powered to a 47-12 win against Rainey in their next match with the impressive Jack Gill scoring three tries. Other tries in this match came from Michael Wilson, Sean Rice, Roy Chia and James Reid.
One of the most pleasing matches throughout the season was the reverse fixture against Ballyclare. In the first game of the season the team lost 34-0. However, in the second game the boys played some marvellous, team rugby to defeat their close neighbours 49-0! This revealed to the boys how much they had improved throughout the season.
There were a number of outstanding performances throughout the season. Gareth McAdams captained the side extremely well. He was the team’s talisman and led by example with strong running and ferocious tackling. If he continues to learn and improve he will be an exceptional player for the 1st XV in a couple of years! The vice-captain Michael Wilson organised the backs particularly well throughout the season. He was always a threat to the opposition with his elusive running and he scored a number of important tries. Jack Gill was the team’s top try scorer. He is a powerful, strong running Number 8. He has good technique with ball-in-hand making ground with 3 or 4 opposition players trying to bring him down. He is full of enthusiasm and with continued hard work could go far.
This mini-revival in fortunes for the Under 13 ‘A’ team came to a shuddering halt against a very powerful and well organised Regent team on a snowy pitch at The Castle, 39-5. Lewis Donaldson scored a solitary try. However, in the last game before the Christmas break the boys defeated a strong Banbridge team 24-7. In a very close game Gareth McAdams, Connor Boyd, Lewis Donaldson and Harry O’Hagan scored tries to edge out in front of spirited opposition.
Other outstanding performers included Sean Rice who improved so much over the course of the season. He is probably one of the best scrumagers that I have witnessed in my time with Junior rugby. Ben Sayers and Johnny Mooney also had man-of-the-match performances numerous times throughout the season. All are very strong runners with the ball and are very competitive, with ‘never-say-die’ attitudes. Other forwards who impressed were James Reid, Luke Auterson, Lewis Donaldson, Conor Benson and Mark Caughey. All have good ability and over the course of the season proved to be invaluable to the team.
In January and February the boys defeated Killicomaine Junior High School 51-0; Lurgan Junior High School 1917 with a last minute try from Scott Macauley; drew 5 all against an English touring school, St. Josephs; and lost narrowly 20-17 to arguably one the strongest, biggest
The back-line had its own degree of talent. Scott Macauley, Roy Chia, Chris McLoughlin, Connor Boyd, Francis Collins and Niall Gray all had their moments during a successful season. All were called on to make ‘last-ditch’ tackles and score vital tries.
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