Grosvenor – 18 Enniskillen – 19
Enniskillen’s courage and desire to take the Qualifying League Two crown this year underwent a
stern examination on Saturday, when they travelled to Belfast to take on fellow title contenders
Grosvenor RFC.
Click HERE for the shots – Big shout out to Anthony O’Callaghan for them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In the opening exchanges it was clear that the opposition were a step up in class from Enniskillen’s
previous opponents, as Grosvenor successfully combined a direct running game and dynamic
back-line play that was causing confusion in Enniskillen’s defensive ranks. The pressure finally told
on the visitors when sloppy play was punished by the impressive Grosvenor number 8 loose
forward who carved through weak Enniskillen defence and found his supporting team mates for a
fine long range try. 5-0 Grosvenor.
The bad start was compounded when ill-discipline on half-way was swiftly punished by the big boot
of the Grosvenor goal kicker who slotted over three more points from long range. 8-0 Grosvenor
and things got worse five minutes later when further uncharacteristic poor defence allowed in
another soft score and Enniskillen were potentially facing an embarrassing defeat.
However after some stern words from coach Alistair McKee ‘Skins, who so far this season have
demonstrated their mental toughness on several occasions, once again impressively regrouped
and came back hard at the hosts. Both in attack and defence, Enniskillen began to find their feet,
stringing together some nice phases of play and asserting their own power running game, that has
been a feature so far this season. However, it took one of the smaller players on the pitch to finally
open up the Grosvenor defence. Scrum half and captain Richard Connor sneaked through a gap
at the Grosvenor ruck and fed flying 18-year old winger, Jason Wilson, who raced down the
touchline for a fantastic score that marked the start of the Enniskillen fightback. 15-5.
The now settled Enniskillen side attacked again from the resulting kick off and nice passing from
out half Nigel Johnston and second row David Buchanan released winger Wilson who once more
turned on the after-burners from 50 metres out but was cut down by a fantastic covering tackle in
the corner. The resulting field position lead to a penalty which full-back Donagh O’Callaghan coolly
despatched. 15-8.
The game was turning into a more and more attritional affair, with Enniskillen beginning to establish
forward dominance in the ruck and maul and eventually fronting up on defence. The battle was
taking it toll on both sides with Enniskillen centre Michael Law being forced to leave the field with a
broken nose and the Grosvenor hooker departing due a heavy collision with his opposite number,
Robbie Murray. This dominance then paid off when a ‘Skins rolling maul was illegally taken down
only metres from the Grosvenor line resulting in a yellow card for the offender and a further three
points from the boot of O’Callaghan. 15-11.
Enniskillen were well and truly back in the match and the turning point came late in the second half
when after some classic Enniskillen forward play, prop Richie Beatty barrelled over from five
metres out to take the score to 15-16 in favour of the Fermanagh men.
With not long to go, Enniskillen kicked for field position and kept the game tight with the intention of
running down the clock. However the unbelievable happened when Enniskillen conceded a late
penalty in their opponents half which was magnificently converted from 50-plus metres to sink
Enniskillen hearts. 18-16 Grosvenor.
Enniskillen were once again forced to dig deep into their resolve which they did, driving back hard
at the tiring Grosvenor defence. Again and again Enniskillen drove the ball forward and eventually
forced the error leading to a penalty chance with only three minutes remaining, which the nerveless
O’Callaghan slotted over, making the score 19-18.
With only seconds to go Enniskillen kept the ball tight once more but were somehow turned over.
It was panic stations as Grosvenor pounced on the ball and shipped it wide to their winger who
