This fell by the way side with the dearth games over the last few weeks and then when I did get a couple of games covered, the week before last, I was so busy with non site stuff that week that I didn’t get a chance to follow up with a Weekend Warrior piece.
So, with no matches covered last weekend it gives me a chance to revist the week before and the Schools Cup match between Carrick Grammar and Belfast High and the Women’s AIL2N match between Belfast Harlequins and City of Derry.
The Schools Cup game threw up a couple of contenders with outhalf Johnny Moore for Carrick and hooker Aaron Blair and No.8 Ryan McGonnigle of Belfast High all catching the eye.
If Carrick’s Moore had only kept the ball in hand more often instead of chiping it away after his silky breaks I think he would have swung my decision, and the game for that matter, but his tendency to kick just a little too often means it’s between the two Belfast boys.
When you watch the bulk of a match through the lens of a camera you sometimes miss a lot of the periphery action so literally focused are you on the central image. Fortunately you get a second chance to see what’s been going on when you sort through your photos after the game and it was just after such a sort that Blair came to my attention. Already on the radar after scoring a try, he did pop up in a lot of other photos doing those solid, unspectactular things, that a good hooker should do, and doing them very well.
A good showing from Blair, but he’s pipped to the post by the huge effort of McGonnigle in the back row for the High School.
McGonnigle really came into his own when his openside was yellow carded towards the end of the first half. He raised his game and raised it again to keep Belfast High’s hopes alive when Carrick had a chance to close it out and in the second half he led their fightback from the front. Power and pace in abundance he played with his head up and was instrumental in keeping Carrick pinned in their own half until the High School scored and when they needed a go to player to break the late Carrick siege McGonnigle was their out.
For his tireless display and match winning impact Weekend Warrior Number 4 is Belfast High’s Ryan McGonnigle.
I also caught the highly entertaining match between Belfast Harlequins and City of Derry – the big match in AIL2N. The Women’s game is moving on leaps and bounds this season in Ulster thanks to the hard work of the Ulster Branch, Joy Sparkes and Natalie Bryant in particular. Despite not having the same history as the men’s game the clubs are already developing fierce rivalries and this was one of those games that no-one wanted to lose. Add in the appearance of three South African players getting a run out for their Ulster hosts and this game had it all.
There were great displays all over the pitch with the three South Africans plus Di Nixon, Glenda Mellon, Sorcha Chipperfield and Ashleigh Baxter all showing well, but the player that caught my eye was Nikki Caughey who had an outstanding game in the centre for Harlequins.
Despite playing most of the game on the back foot Caughey showed great grit and determination throughout the game but also displayed exceptional ball handling skills and composure under pressure acting as the cutting edge for the Quins attack and all this despite taking a few early knocks in this wonderfully competitive game.
Add to all that her fantastic kicking skills, knocking over a conversion from the sidelines that Ian Humphreys would have been proud off, and a superb all round game Nikki Caughey is Weekend Warrior Number 5.
Corrections, comments or questions?