13/10/12 Banbridge 2nds – 11 Enniskillen 1sts – 16
Enniskillen progressed to the quarter-final of the Junior Cup with a narrow, 16 – 11, win against
previously unbeaten Banbridge.
On a perfect day for rugby, the visitors kicked off with the aid of a strong breeze. Play was scrappy
for the first fifteen minutes with many handling errors from both sides and a whistle-happy referee
preventing open rugby.
‘Skins took the lead through a Chris McVitty penalty, but from the restart Banbridge laid siege to
the ‘Skins’ line for about five minutes and it was only through determined and skilled defending that
they prevented a score.
Banbridge did equalize through a good penalty, but it was the visiting side which finished the half
stronger. On several occasions a chip kick was tried near the home line, when it might have been
better to keep the ball in hand, but McVitty did added two more penalties, one with the last kick of
the half, to put ‘Skins 9 – 3 up at the break.
Banbridge started strong in the second half and quickly camped in the Enniskillen “22”, where
following a series of rucks the home outhalf saw his chance and dropped a neat goal to level
things up. Worse was to come when following a little bit of indiscipline by ,Skins, the captain
Richard Connor was sin-binned.
Once again Banbridge went deep into ‘Skins’ territory and the outhalf’s shrewd cross-kick found no
one at home apart from the Banbridge winger, who scored easily. The conversion was missed
but ,Skins now faced a real challenge if they were not to exit the cup.
With the return of Connor the visitors did raise their game and with ten minutes remaining, Gavin
Parke took matters in hand. Making one of his characteristic breaks, he surged towards the
Banbridge posts and when he was eventually stopped, offloaded with Alan Wilkinson taking
advantage to score near the posts. McVitty added the points and should really have added a
further penalty shortly after, but his kick was narrowly wide.
Banbridge did not give up and there were to be a few twists and turns, accompanied by some
perplexing referee decisions before McVitty’s kick to touch ended proceedings.
‘Skins had earned a win against a good home side and on balance were the better team. The
pack is maturing into a nice unit but indiscipline could have been more costly and greater
challenges lie ahead in the next four weeks.
Clogher Valley III – 10 Enniskillen III – 48
Enniskillen III’s go top of the league after a comprehensive win against local rivals
Clogher Valley.
Enniskillen travelled to Clogher Valley for the first of only two league derby matches
left between the clubs knowing a win would put them top of the league, whilst for
Clogher a victory would open their account and lift them off the foot of the table.
The latter seemed to prove the greater incentive as Clogher kicked off and
immediately put the Enniskillen pack under pressure. However, Enniskillen won a
scrum inside their “22” and an opportunity to clear their lines, but poor decision
making and support resulted in Clogher turning the ball over. Despite some desperate
defence eventually a succession of pick and drives saw a Clogher prop drive over the
line for an early score, the conversion was missed, but the hosts had a five-point lead.
This served as the wake up call needed, as Enniskillen realised that they were in a
derby match where wins are earned, not given. Keith Hurst kicked off deep into the
Clogher “22” where Enniskillen kept them pinned until they won a scrum. Captain
Michael Cadden picked up at Number 8 and went blind. The ball came to full-back
Trevor Whittaker who despite being tackled short of the line managed to offload to
winger Gordi Whyte, who did well to beat his opposite number and dive into the
corner. The conversion was missed, but the game was now tied.
All square and the game was on! Enniskillen started to dominate possession a little
more with their backline getting the upper-hand, but the final pass and unforced
errors cost points time after time.
It was M Cadden who made the breakthrough, bumping over two would be tacklers
with ease to cross under the posts. Hurst added the conversion leaving the score 12
– 5 to the visitors at half time.
Enniskillen needed to score early in the second half to stamp some authority on the
game and that’s just what they did. Noel McCusker brushed a-side two defenders as
he trundled up the middle of the field into the Clogher “22” where he floated a pass
over the final tackler to the supporting M Cadden, who touched down for the simplest
of scores. Hurst again converted and soon after stroked over a penalty kick.
Clogher had by no means given up as their forwards carried ball after ball before
being awarded a scrum 10 metres out. They picked and went blind, where the
Enniskillen defence seemed to evaporate as their winger strolled over in the corner
to redress the try count that period, the conversion was missed.
Ladies report to follow
