Enniskillen – 10 Grosvenor – 18
After the euphoria of the excellent cup win on the road last week, it was back to league action with a disappointing bump for ‘Skins at Mullaghmeen.
The game opened scrappily with too many penalties being conceded in the early exchanges by ‘Skins but at no great loss early on. The game would be dominated for an hour by two well organised defences with scoring chances at a premium.
The visitors did however take the lead on the half hour mark with a penalty, just when it looked like ‘Skins had regained their discipline.
‘Skins did reply and having amassed some pressure on the visitors’ line, nice quick hands from Felix Quigley gave Andrew Dixon just enough room on the right wing to dart in at the corner flag for a try with the final play of the half. Gavin Parke had to watch as his conversion attempt from the sideline just dropped under the bar, but nevertheless less ‘Skins held a 5 – 3 lead at halftime.
The second half started much as the first had been played and after ‘Skins had missed a penalty on ten minutes, Grosvenor regained the lead with a penalty of their own on fifteen.
‘Skins forwards had been playing well in the loose with some good ball carrying, but once again the set pieces were disappointing, stopping ‘Skins from building any real momentum. The game was then turned on it’s head as it entered the final quarter. Grosvenor had been held at bay for an hour but then their prop waltzed through 3 or 4 desperate attempts to stop him from outside the “22”to romp home for a simple try.
Worse was to follow seven minutes later. Buoyed by the earlier score Grosvenor came in search of more and were running like they were surrounded by some form of force field, as ‘Skins struggled to stop them and it was inevitable that a second try came. This time the conversion was good and the visitors had jumped out to an 18 – 5 lead.
‘Skins did rally for the closing ten minutes or so, and belatedly Andrew Dixon added a second try with the final play, but too little too late.
All in all a performance that promised so much for an hour but then fizzled out. ‘Skins ambitions have been dealt a massive blow, but must regroup in their next two games to at least try and take some form into the Towns Cup fixture at Banbridge on February 25th.
Fixtures
1st XV – Home – Dungannon II
2nd XV – Home – Dungannon III
Power NI sponsored 3rd XV – Home – Portadown V
Mini-Rugby – Away – Donegal
