Enniskillen – 6 UUC – 8
Enniskillen were robbed of a morale boosting win over the unbeaten league leaders at a blustery Mullaghmeen.
With the wind at their backs ‘Skins played most of the first half in the visitors’ half of the field but had only two Gavin Parke penalties to show for all their effort.
It could have been so much different as ‘Skins did look to have scored a try after only six minutes following a great drive over the visitors’ line from a secure lineout, but the referee judged that the ball had been held up.
‘Skins forwards were controlling the ball well in the loose but the set pieces were a worry, but some strong running from David Taylor, David Buchanan, Hazlit Brian and Robbie Murray kept them going forward.
The weather was causes havoc with handling out wide and again ‘Skins done everything but score on twenty minutes and again in thirty-five but UUC’s defence held out and the half ended with ‘Skins six points to the good.
‘Skins were dealt an early blow in the second period when they gave up a very soft try from a scrum under pressure, with the visitors only having to fall on the ball to score in the opening minutes.
‘Skins regrouped and spent the remainder of the half controlling possession through multiple phases into the stiff breeze. Defensively they allowed UUC no time on the ball to gain any territory and looked to be comfortably holding on to the slenderest of leads until the last minute decision to penalise them at a ruck right in front of the posts.
It was a cruel way to lose and UUC certainly rode their luck to remain unbeaten and in pole position to secure promotion.
‘Skins now must regroup having been reprieved in the Towns Cup, owing to a registration issue with the Dungannon side they faced in round one, as they travel to face Dromore with a quarter final place up for grabs.
Enniskillen 3rd XV – 38 Cavan 2nd XV – 5
Enniskillen’s 3rd battalion entertained their visitors from Cavan, seeking to rectify things after a controversial defeat earlier in the season.
Skins started the game facing a strong wind, but Cavan to their despair realised that it was more of a Hurricane, called Hurricane Duncan or Hurricane Johnston! Cavan were having the best of the early interchanges, but strong defence and super scrummaging from the front row of Adam Breen, Steven Frazer and Jonny Foster gave skins a platform to build on. On the half hour mark, ‘Skins got their reward, after super play from the all 15 men, the returning Jamie Johnston crashed over to the left of the sticks. The conversion was missed.
The second half started with ‘Skins sucking diesel, and scoring an impresive 5 tries, with only 1 conceded, which will no doubt boost morale before a trip to Ophir in the Butler Shield next Saturday. for the record the tries were scored by Ross Finlay, Ross Duncan, Jamie Johnston added a brace to his first half effort to complete an impressive hat-trick and Steven Frazer got his 1st try in a ‘Skins jersey, 4 of which were converted by Keith Hurst.
Cavan scored a try with the last play of the game, but it was a great performance from all 17 players on a tiring, muddy pitch.
Fixtures
1st XV – Away – Dromore
3rd WV – Away – Ophir
U/19 – Home – Clogher Valley
Youth – Home – Letterkenny
Mini-Rugby – Training – Club
