Enniskillen I XV recorded a very hard fought victory on the road against a very committed and dangerous Lisburn side to remain in pole position.
As expected Lisburn started with a flurry and aided by a suspiciously looking touchline decision made inroads down the right wing where only some excellent defence forced play into touch very close to ‘Skins line.
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Having survived the early scare ‘Skins started to get into their stride with some some good passages of play when they endeavoured to keep the ball alive through some neat offloading and quick re-cycling and keeping the hosts guessing by mixing up the plays. Lisburn defended well but eventually the pressure told as ‘Skins showed patience building the phases close to the Lisburn line and Robbie Murray sneaked over from a ruck to score his first try.
‘Skins had chances to add to their five point lead but despite forced turnovers couldn’t capitalise, even missing a penalty on the half hour mark, and shortly after were made to pay. Lisburn managed to put some phases together in ‘Skins half for the first time, and from a dubious knock-on decision, when it was clear the Lisburn had dropped the ball first, they created an overlap to score in the corner, levelling the scores.
‘Skins didn’t let this set back deter them and Lisburn were having to work very hard and maintain their defensive discipline to stop some ‘Skins flowing rugby. One worrying feature for the visitors was the scrum which Lisburn increasingly dominated as the game went on, and only a knock one saved ‘Skins with open space beckoning on the half-time whistle.
From the second half restart ‘Skins used the maul effectively to drive into the hosts’ “22”, when the second phase was scrappy as Lisburn regrouped to hold up the charge. This was a common theme in the early exchanges with ‘Skins sometimes looking unsure what to do next after some good initial surges.
‘Skins soon regained the lead and it came from a missed penalty. James McIntyre’s effort dropped under the bar, but in Lisburn’s attempt to run the ball clear a loose pass was intercepted by the outhalf who raced over the line for the try, which he was unable to convert to put ‘Skins 10 – 5 ahead.
Lisburn came in search of the reply, but ‘Skins defence was secure. The home side’s superiority in the scrum was worrying and gave them a secure platform from which to launch wave after wave of attacks. ‘Skins defence was at times desperate, conceding a numb er of penalties, but these were some way from their own line and Lisburn were unable to capitalise on the possession as ‘Skins defence smothered each attack, forcing turnovers, including a scrum take against the head!
Minds go back a season or two when this was a game that ‘Skins may have capitulated and lost, but a real sense of team spirit, grit and determination saw them through. ‘Skins have a week’s break now before a local derby at Omagh. A lot of work will be needed in the interim period, especially at the set piece, but this victory is a hard physical game should stand the team in good stead for the coming months.
Team: M Leitch, R Murray, F Quigley, H Brien, D Taylor, D Buchanan, E Roofe, G Parke, R Connor, J McIntyre, A Duncan, A Wilkinson, A Dixon, M Law, N Johnston.
Lisburn II – 5, Enniskillen II – 13
Enniskillen’s 2nds made it a great Saturday on the road with another hard fought victory in a very physical encounter.
‘Skins were once again forced into a number of changes, but this lack of continuity in personnel did not deter them from their task as they recorded an excellent win on the road against a team sitting four places above them, having won four of their five games to date.
Richie O’Callaghan scored the vital try in the first half and with Zac Charlton adding the conversion, and a later Dale McMaster penalty, ‘Skins led 10 – 0 at the half time break, despite having at one stage been reduced to thirteen men due to the referee’s yellow card.
The second have was an even tighter affair, with McMaster slotting over his second penalty to secure the win. However in the closing stages Matt Drumm provided one of the highlights of the day. After taking the ball inside his own “22” he spun out of one tackle, chipped over the fullback’s head, recovered the ball and exchanged passes close to the hosts’ line, but a dropped ball spoiled what would have been a great individual try.
‘Skins now face another couple of hard road trips in the coming weeks, and will need to show more of the same grit and commitment as witnessed on Saturday to maintain their climb up the league table.
A reminder to all club members – President’s Night is being held in the Clubhouse on Saturday November 19th. Tickets are priced at £20 and available from Reggie Ferguson or Clare Brogan.
Fixtures
Saturday 12th Nov
2nd XV – Away – Dungannon
3rd XV – Home – Cookstown
Under-19 – Away – Clogher Valley
Youth – Away – Donegal
Mini-Rugby – Please note that the fixtures at Portadown are scheduled for Saturday 19th Nov. Training this week.
Sunday 13th Nov
Ladies – Home – Belfast Harlequins
