Enniskillen Thirds hosted league leaders Ballyshannon on Saturday hoping to make amends for the narrow 13 – 12 defeat at the beginning of the season, however it was Ballyshannon who took the first points through a penalty kick.
Enniskillen bounced back quickly when some territory and pressure eventually allowed the strong running centre Richard Henderson to beat two would-be tacklers and dive over the line for the opening, unconverted, try.
It was clear from the opening encounters this was going to be a tough game and indeed soon after Ballyshannon used the wind advantage to put a long ball into the corner, forcing a ‘Skins lineout ten meters from their try line. The lineout wasn’t controlled and ‘Skins touched down in their own try zone, giving Ballyshannon a dangerous five meter scrum. Quick ball from the base allowed the Ballyshannon outhalf do put a well weighted grubber kick behind the defensive line for their openside flanker to swoop upon for a try under the posts, which was converted to give Ballyshannon a 10 – 5 lead at half time.
Enniskillen put the pressure back on from the second half kick off and using the wind advantage, a more hopeful than measured kick and chase deep into the Ballyshannon half seemed innocuous, but the pace and pressure of wing Gareth Donaldson forced an error in defence and he somehow managed to capitalise and score Enniskillen’s second, and again unconverted, try, to level the game up at ten apiece.
Enniskillen where in the ascendancy but unforced errors and infringements around the breakdown on both sides prevented either team dominating. With Enniskillen dominating territory some good play led them close to the Ballyshannon try line and despite good Ballyshannon defence holding out in the corner, patient recycling eventually saw young prop Gareth Crawford pick and drive to the line for a third Enniskillen try. This time outhalf Keith Hurst made no mistake adding the conversion putting ‘Skins back in front at 17 – 10.
The game was far from over with Ballyshannon coming straight back and a simple ball, passed along the backline, for once found the Enniskillen defensive line wanting as the visiting centre rounded the defence to score under the posts, once again tying up the score at 17-all with just ten minutes on the clock.
Enniskillen, with home advantage, were still confident of victory and when captain Michael Cadden charged down a clearance kick, scrum-half, play-maker and poacher Paddy McCleary was on hand to snaffle-up the loose ball and battle his way over the line for the final try of the game and Hurst’s conversion left the final score 24 – 17 to ‘Skins.
Ballyshannon made a valiant effort in the final minutes but a yellow card left them a man short and it was an effort too great as Enniskillen’s defence held firm to gain them a hard earned win and a deserved share at the top of the league with Ballyshannon.
For more on the season so far for the III XV CLICK HERE
