Enniskillen produced an improved performance in beating a gallant Grosvenor side 32 – 12 at
Mullaghmeen on Saturday, in an impressive response to the heavy defeat away to Ballyclare the
previous week.
‘Skins started in a positive fashion and tried to play their rugby in the visitors’ half, but Grosvenor’s
scrum was strong and the opening exchanges were fairly even. ‘Skins however did have the
territorial advantage and good aggressive ball-carrying forced two penalties, which were both
converted by Donagh O’Callaghan.
Better was to follow when a great break and run from scrumhalf Paddy McCleery on twenty-five
minutes started a flowing ‘Skins attack, which went right then left before being finished by winger
Zac Charleton who skipped past his opponent to score an unconverted try in the corner.
‘Skins were then guilty of rather standing back to admire their handiwork and this allowed
Grosvenor into the game. On half-an-hour Grosvenor mounted a concerted attacked, firstly on
their left hand side before switching right to their No 8, who despite being well tackled by Kaine
Holden managed to offload the ball, but to ‘Skins relief a knock-on prevented any score. The game
became a bit loose but Grosvenor continued to camp in the Enniskillen half and on the halftime
whistle their outhalf eventually got over for an unconverted try to leave score 11 – 5 at the break.
With Grosvenor grabbing that try just before the break it was imperative that ‘Skins didn’t let the
momentum swing and they managed to do just that. Early in the second half McCleery and David
Buchanan combined well to bring play deep into visitors’ territory but the move was halted by a
loose pass. Further ‘Skins pressure led to a penalty which was kicked to touch. From the lineout
the ball was retained following a series of forward drives and it was ‘Skins’ No.8, Jamie Johnston,
who scored near the posts, with O’Callaghan’s conversion taking the score to 18 – 5.
In the 50th minute ‘Skins were again attacking when a loose pass was collected by Grosvenor who
took play to the ‘Skins’ line before scoring a controversial converted try, when the player’s foot
seemed to cross the “dead ball” line before he touched down in front of “the shed”, to close the gap
to just six points. The home supporters had an anxious time as Grosvenor applied more pressure,
but a timely turnover and kick to touch by Alan Wilkinson raised the siege. From the resulting
lineout Grosvenor gained possession and drove to ‘Skins’ line, but were again the ball was turned
over.
Having weathered the storm some good work by McCleery and Ryan Cathcart led to a kick ahead
by O’Callaghan and in the resultant footrush Charleton nearly added his second try. This was
followed by a great break from Wilkinson which almost yielded another score. ‘Skins were
applying constant pressure at this stage and on the hour mark a great drive from Johnston led to
excellent possession which saw O’Callaghan put in the clear but he failed to ground the ball.
‘Skins couldn’t capitalise in the resulting scrum and Grosvenor grabbed a relieving penalty.
Five minutes later O’Callaghan just missed a long-range penalty but ‘Skins were keeping up the
pressure and making sure that all the play was in the visitors’ half. Shortly after Wilkinson had
another fine run and expertly offloaded to Johnston who grabbed his second try, which
O’Callaghan again converted.
When play restarted ‘Skins again moved the ball quickly and a fine move ended with a further try
for Johnston in the corner, with O’Callaghan hitting an excellent conversion all but seal the win.
The game ended with Grosvenor pressing for some further consolation but ‘Skins held firm for a
well deserved bonus point win, with a much improved performance playing some impressive rugby.
The backs moved the ball with more fluency and the forwards put in an impressive shift. Next up
are old rivals Omagh in what should be an enticing Friday night derby game under lights.
