REPORT Enniskillen 1s v Randalstown 1s, 3s v Letterkenny 2s, U16s v Instonians, 15s v Virginia & U18s v Monaghan

Enniskillen started well with a break down the wing from Ashley Finlay putting them deep into the Randalstown half but a knock on soon afterwards ended the attack. Fortunately the Skins scrum looked to have another day in the ascendency on the cards as Randalstown struggled to take the pressure from the opposing pack, eventually resulting in Enniskillen earning the put in from which Ricky Lee picked at the back of the trundling Skins scrum and crossed the line for the first try, converted by Lendrum.

Whether because complacency crept in with this early score or if it served to ignite Randalstown for the contest, the rest of the first half was a much tighter affair and another score eluded Skins. While both line out and scrum functioned well throughout, and the defence remained true to form, Skins possibly tried to do much in attack which resulted in countless handling errors and forced passes ending periods of pressure on Randalstown. To the home side’s credit they were very determined in defence and their urgent defensive press did a lot to thwart the Enniskillen attack and force some of the aforementioned errors, managing to end the half a mere 7-0 down to Enniskillen.

After reassessing the game at halftime Enniskillen came out showing slightly more control in the second half and played well to territory through the boot of Adam Lendrum. They struggled to find the dynamic rugby they’ve shown in past weeks as Randalstown were very disruptive at the breakdown and determined to slow Enniskillen ball as they sought to release forward runners and their destructive back line. Eventually when a powerful Skins driving maul inside the 22 broke down resulting in a scrum, Skins used their dominance in the area very effectively to put Ricky Lee over once again for his second try, converted by Lendrum to extend the lead to 14-0.

A resilient Randalstown didn’t lie down at this second score and continued to defend well against the Enniskillen onslaught, and at one stage had Skins pinned in their own half, with Skins showing a lack of direct running and making no real ground in attack, but still looking in no real danger of conceding. Thankfully James Ferguson showed some individual flair to inject some pace into the game and broke the line on half way, evading and shrugging off tackles from what seemed like half the Randalstown team to sprint over 50 metres to the try line and cross for the 3rd try, converted again with a time conscious drop goal from Lendrum to extend the lead. Now one try from the desired bonus point win Skins showed a sense of urgency from the restart and battered the opposition defence in an attempt to gain some ground, however a lost ruck in the Randalstown half returned possession to the home side and it was kicked out for full time.

This leaves Skins set for a dramatic contest on Tuesday night in their final game facing table leaders Carrick, and sitting just 4 points behind 2nd placed Coleraine. The game kicks off at 8pm with all support welcome.

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It’s been a season of spectacular development for Captain Richard Willis’ 2nd XV at Enniskillen, with a shaky start earlier in the season and some mixed results, the 2nd XV have now put together a fantastic side with a perfect blend of youth and experience working in harmony to reach a momentous Forster Cup Final at Kingspan Stadium this Saturday.

The 2nd XV this year are a particularly apt representation of Enniskillen as a club. There’s no shortage of men who’ve been around the block and a host of former 1st XV experience in the form of Richie Grey, Ross Duncan, Cathal McGarry, Alan Ferguson and the injured Paul Burns. It’s the inclusion of some great fresh talent this that has really galvanised the side. The youthful second row pairing of Eric Elliot and Gary Thornton have been excellent along with newcomer Jamie McKane in the front row. In the backline the addition of Scott Burrell at out half has been crucial while Richie Henderson and Chris Henry have been stalwart performers all season. Young Ryan Irwin and Keelan Kelly have stepped up to senior level well in the back three, Kelly coming through the club’s own youth system and just last year featuring for the under-18s.

Skins face a stern task this weekend to claim the Forster Cup against a rampant Malone 4XV side who have dominated their league this season. The Final takes place this Saturday at Kingspan Stadium, kicking off at 1pm. Email info@enniskillenrfc.com for information on booking a place on the supporter’s bus.

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A super display of free flowing rugby and great linking between forwards and backs resulted in a 44-5 win to skins 3rd XV in their final league game of this season away to Letterkenny on Saturday past. In one of the most cohesive and fluent team performances of their season, Skins scored 7 tries through the experienced Ross Duncan, Michael Law, who grabbed two on the day, and not to be outdone, the promising new talent John McClaughry and James Cunningham along with firsts for the season from Jack Breen and Nathan Rutledge completed the scoring. Sam Greenaway and Richie Willis adding the conversions and a penalty. A mention must go to Stephen Tummon who undoubtedly is the most improved player this year and debuting at flanker made an almost impossible try saving cover tackle in the corner to typify his efforts this season. It has been a fantastic season with so many new, young, promising players joining this year to further improve the strength in depth at ERFC and we look forward to developing this bunch and achieving more success again next season.

After suffering a narrow defeat at the hands of League 2 winners Ballymena last week skins U16’s dusted themselves down for a semi final Ulster Shield game away to Instonians Belfast. On a day with all this season’s weather, sun, rain and even snow it was a focused Skins side that got on the score sheet first when the pace of Lee Lindsay left Inst in his wake from almost the halfway line, converted by Oisin Monaghan. The forwards didn’t have it all their own way with the Inst pack on occasion being dominant in attack but, when put on the back foot by the strong carrying of Aaron Clarke, Dan Roofe and Diarmuid Scallon, this big pack were found wanting for pace. It was from one of these carries that a hole opened up big enough for Scallon to walk right through and, to his disbelief, he too carried from the halfway to touch down under the posts, converted again by Monaghan. Some needless penalties were given away in the Inst half which kept giving them a foothold back into the game but in typical skins fashion they marched the opposition back down the pitch with quick pick and go’s from Dylan McKervey and Conan Leonard. With David Patton’s introduction into the game he was to be the link to set Lee Lindsay away on another flyer, again scorching his way under the posts, these conversions were proving too easy for Monaghan with 3 out of 3 leaving the score 21-0. The backs too had their say in the first half with Daire Hill controlling the territory well and on more than one occasion setting Alex Armstrong away on some barnstorming runs, dipping the shoulder into his opposite 12 and making hard yards with Monaghan close at hand to support.

The second half got off to a good start with Ryan Skuce notching up another try when he was at hand following a series of drives from the pack, again converted. Inst started tire and within the next couple of minutes when skins pressed hard up on the backs Monaghan was gifted an interception try which he duly converted. Skins continued to dominate things and less than ten minutes later Jack Mckee was at hand to cross the line for another converted score. Twice Armstrong crossed the line only to be denied by the ref. Dylan Roberts came into the line well on several occasions from full back and almost got himself on the score sheet, and was judged to have given a forward pass when he offloaded to McGowan who showed a clean pair of heels. With all the Enniskillen subs now on the field they picked up where the others left off. With Shane McGrail, Garvin Gilleece and Tim Ryan on the pitch these fresh legs led to another forwards spurt and the match finished with Scallon again getting on the score sheet. While it seemed a one sided affair it was far from it, credit goes to Oisin Timoney for his never ending hard work in the loose and Mattie Brown, Jordan Anderson and Tom McGowan who also did their fair share of the defensive duties. From the coach’s perspective it was a job well done, with all players stepping up to the mark and throwing the proverbial hat in the ring for the 22 man cup final spot. The coaches have some tough decisions to make now over the next 2 weeks as this squad of around 28 players who’ve worked tirelessly all season for a league title compete for a place in the 22 man squad for the approaching Shield Final.