Enniskillen – 23 Limavady – 17
These two teams, who are both sitting at the lower end of the league table, met for the second time this
season after the visitors had already ended ‘Skins Junior Cup hopes, at the first hurdle, with a convincing win
in the opening fixture of the season.
Both sides were struggling with substantial injury lists and the two coaches were in pursuit of a morale
boosting win.
‘Skins reshuffled their side, starting with Alan Wilkinson at out-half and club captain Ricky Connor reverting to
the more familiar no.9 shirt and started much better than in previous weeks, running some good lines in the
opening minutes and got just what they wanted after ten minutes. Michael Law got the ball in space and
took the defence by surprise when he hit the afterburners to outsprint the covering defenders barring his way
to the line to score an excellent try. Although the conversion was missed the score had rocked the visitors.
Limavady then picked themselves up and took the fight to ‘Skins with the forwards stealing a few lineout
throws, which allowed them to bring their ball-carrying forwards into to play as often as possible. ‘Skins
defence held firm and gradually they started to work their way out of defence with some good ball carrying of
their own. David Taylor was to the forefront of the efforts but it was Wilkinson who put ‘Skins in a good
attacking position with a fine kick which found touch ten metres from the Limavady line. A fine take by Kane
Holden secured the ball setting up a good maul following which ‘Skins were awarded a scrum. With a solid
and steady scrum Taylor picked and fed Connor who turned to a big blindside and timed his pass to
perfection to put Paddy McCleery in for a try in the corner. Donagh O’Callaghan had a valiant effort at the
conversion but the miss left ‘Skins 10 – 0 in front.
Back came Limavady and it was the Co. Londonderry side who played out what was a very long first half in
Enniskillen territory. Just on the stroke of half-time the Limavady centre scored following a short penalty
move to leave the half-time score10 – 7. In truth it was probably no more than the visitors deserved as some
poor decisions from their fullback, when he was struck with “white line fever” holding onto the ball when men
were free around him, wasted good scoring chances.
Limavady started the second half with some momentum following the try just on the break and ‘Skins were
dealt an early blow when McCleery, who had picked up a knock late in the first half but bravely carried on,
was forced to leave the field, meaning the home side had to play almost the full second period with only
fourteen men. The visitors used the numerical advantage with some early attacks deep in ‘Skins territory but
once again ‘Skins defence was solid.
Then to underline the determination of the side ‘Skins increased their lead when following a good kick
downfield they retained possession well, working the visiting defence around the fringes, and Holden found
his way over the line for their third try, which again went unconverted.
‘Skins weren’t about to rest on their laurels and kept the momentum going by carrying the ball at Limavady
and took advantage of an increasing penalty count by the visitors to take play back to their goal line, where
they managed a fourth, and bonus point, try by Wilkinson to stretch the lead to 20 – 7 going into the final
quarter.
A determined Limavady side fought its way back and with the extra effort required by ‘Skins compensating in
defence for the visitors’ extra man eventually managed to reduce the arrears to 20 – 12. ‘Skins were not
giving in though and with yet another good piece of continuity took play into the Limavady “22” where another
infringement led to a penalty, which O’Callaghan converted to increase ‘Skins’ lead to 11 points, leaving
Limavady needing to score twice.
It was the visitors who completed the scoring with a further, unconverted, try to gain themselves a losing
STRABANE – 5 ENNISKILLEN – 39
Enniskillen travelled to Strabane on Saturday past for their fist ever Qualifying League encounter with the
recently promoted Tyrone side, and as has been the trend this season they fielded a side with several changes
in personnel, and as a result many positional switches, from the fifteen that defeated Limavady the previous
week. Richard Willis was a late call up to the second row, with Daniel Allister being promoted to full back
duties having returned recently to full time training. Jack Harte and Donagh O’Callaghan formed a
previously untried mid field partnership in the centre whilst Jason Wilson made a welcome return to the left
wing after a six-week absence.
With the mystery of where the game was actually to be played having eventually been solved the game got
underway in perfect conditions for this late November contest.
Strabane controlled possession for the opening period but they were unable to make any significant advances
on Enniskillen territory, with the visitors’ defence resolute in their determination to thwart any attempted
attacks on their line. In their anxiety to retain control of the ball Strabane were penalised on three separate
occasions in the opening twenty minutes for a series of offences on the ground and Donagh O’Callaghan
converted two of these to put Enniskillen six points ahead with a quarter gone.
Alan Wilkinson had his second outing at out-half and his stewardship of both possession and defence
throughout the game had a major influence on the eventual outcome. Richard Connor performed
competently at scrum half and his ball distribution from both set piece and loose play kept the backline
moving forward at every opportunity.
Gavin Warrington was obviously relishing his opportunity to reclaim the number one jersey in the front row,
and in the twenty fifth minute, when Enniskillen eventually moved the ball wide from a series of mid field
rucks, he popped up on the right wing to gather a pass following a well executed move to cross the line for
the opening try of the game and O’Callaghan added the two points from the conversion.
‘Skins, having withstood the initial onslaught, were now beginning to take control of the game enjoying a
period of territorial dominance and just before the interval Richard Willis rounded off a well worked move to
sprint clear and claim the game’s second try. O’Callaghan’s conversion left the visitors twenty points ahead
at the interval.
Any allusions ‘Skins may have had regarding the final outcome during the half time break were quickly
dispelled shortly after the restart when Strabane drove deep into the Enniskillen 22 with a series of controlled
mauls and from a resulting scrum in the forty-seventh minute they managed to cross the visitors’ line for a
well deserved try. Although they failed with their conversion attempt they certainly did not show any signs
of giving up.
The Enniskillen back row of David Taylor, Kaine Holden and Gavin Parke excelled in the loose throughout,
and as hard as Strabane tried to claw their way back into the game their efforts were constantly frustrated by
‘Skins resolute defence. Enniskillen’s resolve became more apparent as the game progressed and most of the
third quarter was played in the Strabane half of the field
In the fifty-fifth minute when Kane Holden gathered a clean catch from a line-out, just inside the opposition
half, the ball was immediately moved along the Enniskillen back line and with the assistance of some
disciplined forward support play managed to set up several phases to bring the play deep into the visitor’s
“22”. From a resulting ruck the ball was fed to Jack Harte, who outflanked the defensive cover to score a
well-taken try to settle the visiting support.
Just a few minutes later Jason Wilson, who had worked tirelessly throughout the afternoon and had made
several incisive runs through the opposition defence, was eventually rewarded for his efforts when he made a
break and ran over thirty metres to cross the Strabane line to claim the visitor’s fourth, and subsequent bonus
point, try.
Donagh O’Callaghan then added a fifth try just before the end, having gathered a pass from David Doherty
Another good win for 3rd XV as they avenge their defeat in Portadown back in September 29 – 10.
All the men’s points scorers have been updated with Donagh O’Callaghan leading the way, with Trevor Whitaker currently holding down the highest try scorer.
This Saturday sees both the 1st and 2nd XVs host Lisburn whilst the 3rd XV make the journey to Antrim to begin their quest for the McCambley Cup. Good luck to all sides.
The usual pre-match sponsored lunch will take place and anyone interested in attending let Reggie or Walter know asap. Details of sponsors will be posted soon.
Make some notes in your diary –
Orders for Six Nations tickets to be with John Dickey by this coming weekend
Santa Sunday this Sunday (8th Dec) – Full details and contact can be found on News page.
Table Quiz in The Atrium, Blakes on Thursday 12th Dec, again full details on News page.
