On Saturday 6th October 2001, an International Youth Match took place at the "Broadwey Hotel" Morecambe, Lancashire, between teams representing Ireland and South Africa. It was attended by Walter Van Beek, (President of the FMJD), John Reade, (FMJD representative for the EDA), Colin Webster (President of the SAWU), Hugh Devlin (Chairman NWDF) and Tony Boyle, (EDA Youth Officer) who acted as the official match referee.
Walter Van Beek outlined the significance of the match recognising it as being the first official youth match held between the continents of Europe and South Africa. He went on to state that youth matches were something which we must continue to promote to ensure a healthy future for the game. He hoped this would be the first of many such contests, and paid tribute to all those involved in the organisation and promotion of this match. Players representing Ireland were Elaine Breen and Pierce Caldwell, and representing South Africa were Thabo Mokoena and Ronnie Manana.
Round One.
Thabo Mokoena Vs Pierce Caldwell
9-14 22-18 11-15 18x9 5x14 25-22 8-11 22-17 4-8 29-25 15-18 17-13 11-15 26-22 1-5 23-19 (22-17 WW) 7-11 31-26 11-16 26-23 8-11 30-26 3-8 (6-9 RW!) 21x17 14x30 23x7 30x23 19x1 23-26 (23-19!) 22-17 26-22 24-20 16-19 7-3 19-23 27x18 22x15 1-6 2x9 13x6 15-18 6-2 11-15 20-16 12x19 3x12 19-23 28-24 23-26 12-16 18-23 24-20 26-30 (a nervous start for both contestants) White Wins.
Pierce Caldwell Vs Thabo Mokoena
11-15 24-19 15x24 28x19 8-11 22-18 9-14 18x9 5x14 25-22 11-15 19-16 12x19 23x16 4-8 27-23 8-12 32-27 (very weak) 12x19 23x16 15-19 16-12 7-11 22-17 11-16 29-25? (overlooking the next move) 19-23! 27x9 6x29 21-17 10-15 17-13 15-19 26-22 19-23 22-18 2-7 Red Won.
Ronnie Manana Vs Elaine Breen
10-15 22-18 15x22 25x18 6-10 18-14 9x18 23x14 10x17 21x14 11-15 29-25 8-11 25-21 4-8 24-19 15x24 28x19 11-16 27-23 16-20 23-18 7-11 (concedes control of the centre) 26-22 2-6 31-26 20-24 14-10 6x15 19x10 12-16 22-17 16-19 18-14 8-12 10-7 3x10 14x7 11-16 7-3 19-23 26x19 16x23 3-7 24-27 7-10 27-31 10-15 12-16 17-14 16-20 14-10 31-26 10-7 20-24 15-18 24-27 7-2 26-31 18-22 5-9 21-17 9-13 17-14 13-17 22x13 31-26 13-17 27-31 14-10 31-27 10-7 27-24 7-3 24-27 3-8 27-24 8-11 24-27 11-15 27-31 15-18 31-27 2-7 1-5 7-10 27-31 18x27 31x24 30x23 24-27 23-18 27-23 18-14 White Wins.
Elaine Breen Vs Ronnie Manana
11-15 23-18 8-11 27-23 4-8 32-27 10-14 24-19 (22-17 gives some hope) 15x24 28x19 11-16 22-17 16-20 17x10 6x24 23-19 24-28 26-23 28-32 30-26 7-10 25-22 8-11 29-25 10-14 19-15 11-16 22-17 16-19 17x10 2-7 (The shortest game of the match) Red Wins.
Round Two.
Ronnie Manana Vs Pierce Caldwell
10-15 22-18 15x22 25x18 6-10 24-19 11-15 18x11 8x24 28x19 7-11 19-15 10x19 23x7 3x10 29-25 10-15 25-22 4-8 21-17 8-11 17-13 1-6 27-24 12-16 26-23 9-14 31-26 19-15 23x14 6-9 13x6 2x25 30x21 16-19? (15-18 is an easy draw) 32-28 5-9 21-17 9-13 17-14 13-17 14-9 17-21 9-6 21-25 6-2 25-30 2-7 30x23 7x16 White Wins.
Pierce Caldwell Vs Ronnie Manana
11-15 23-18 9-14 18x9 5x14 27-23 (weak , allowing a strong "Dyke" formation) 15-19 23x16 12x19 24x15 10x19 22-17 7-10 25-22 8-11 31-27 11-15 17-13 4-8 22-17 8-12 30-25? 3-7 27-24 7-11 25-22 2-7 24-20 19-24 28x19 15x24 26-23 11-15 23-19 7-11 29-25 24-28 19-16 12x19 Red Wins.
Thabo Mokoena Vs Elaine Breen
9-14 23-19! 11-15 22-17 8-11 17-13 5-9 25-22 3-8 22-17 11-16 27-23 7-11 32-27! 2-7! 24-20 15x24 28x19 14-18 23x5 16x32 31-27* 32x23 26x19 11-15 17-14! 15x24 14-9 7-11 9x2 10-15 21-17 15-19 17-14 19-23 14-10 24-27 10-7 27-31 7-3 11-15 20-16 12x19 3x12 19-24 2-7 15-19 13-9 24-27 29-25 19-24 25-22 24-28 22-18 27-32 18-15 32-27 15-11 28-32 7-10 32-28 9-6 28-24 6-2 24-20 11-7 27-24 7-3 23-27 3-7 27-32 10-6 1x10 7x14 (The finest game of the match) drawn.
Elaine Breen Vs Thabo Mokoena
11-15 24-19 15x24 28x19 8-11 22-17 9-14 25-22 5-9 17-13 11-16 22-17 4-8 29-25 8-11 25-22 11-15 32-28 15x24 27x11 7x16 23-19 16x23 26x19 2-7 31-26 7-11 26-23 11-16 30-26 16-20 (3-8 RW) 19-16 12x19 23x16 14-18 22x15 10x19 26-22 9-14 17x10 6x15 22-17 15-18 17-14 18-22 16-11 22-26 21-17 26-30 11-7 etc drawn.