In a scene more reminiscent of a Christmas card, Enniskillen Fourths produced a great display to see off the visitors from Cavan by three tries to one.
Enniskillen started lively and put some pressure on the visitors from the opening kick off, which led to a penalty that “Spice Boy” Conor Daly slotted for a three point lead. Much discussion ensued among the small but hardy band of watchers about exactly what denier were the tights he was wearing!
Cavan replied almost immediately when ‘Skins were penalised on halfway. The kick to touch provided the visitors with great field possession and from the lineout the second row burst clear, brushing Daly’s attempted tackle aside and rumbling between the posts for a converted try.
The game settled into a pattern of attack and counter-attack with handling difficult in the cold, snowy conditions, but credit to both sides for serving up a decent match. ‘Skins regained the lead on twenty minutes from a lineout. Co-skipper Garry Law managed to emerge unscathed from a maul and having drawn one man offloaded to Eddie Roofe, the wing forward as ever in great support, and Roofe sprinted clear to score a try that Daly converted to leave the scoreline at 10 – 7.
Unfortunately this was almost Roofe’s last contribution as he succumbed to an ankle injury, a blow to the player and the team. However ‘Skins did not relent and added a second try after half-an-hour. Again it started with a penalty to touch and ‘Skins may have been fortunate to be awarded the lineout 5 metres out, but this did not deter them and after a great driving maul William Finlay touched the ball down for a 15 – 7 lead.
Shortly after tragedy struck ‘Skins when Dale McClean made a break in midfield but the double tackle ended up with the centre having to be stretchered off and taken to hospital with a suspected broken tibia. Given the delay the referee blew early for halftime.
‘Skins started the second half with only fourteen men, but within minutes managed the only score of the half. A great surge by the forwards was almost finished by Finlay, but it was scrum half Mark Connor who managed to get the try, converted once again by Daly.
Much as the middle part of the first half, the game settled into an attritional battle, but in truth ‘Skins looked in control, and when they managed to get a replacement onto the park they looked fairly comfortable both in possession and defence and everyone was glad to hear the final whistle as the temperature started to drop.
The Fourths now have another break before travelling to face Omagh in the McCambley Cup 1st Round on December 11th. Best wishes go to Dale and everyone at Enniskillen Rugby Club hope he will have a speedy recovery.
Fixtures
1st XV – Away – Carrick
2nd XV – Away – Carrick II
Mini – Rugby – Home – Omagh/Cavan/Donegal
