ENNISKILLEN RUGBY REPORTS 1s, 2s, U14S,16S,18S & U18 GIRLS

ENNISKILLEN 1st xv VS COLERAINE 11/10/14

ENNISKILLEN 19 COLERAINE 20

Enniskillen First XV will feel as if it was an opportunity missed at the weekend after a painfully close 20-19 league defeat at home to Coleraine RFC.

It was a tale of two halves on the day as a large Coleraine side seemed to effectively suck in the Enniskillen defence on a number of occasions in the first half allowing them to run in multiple scores out wide, leaving a valiant Enniskillen side with too much work to do to come back in the second half, despite a much more effective defensive effort in the latter part of the game from the home side.

The game began in the best way imaginable for Enniskillen when full back Ashley Finlay caught the ball calmly in his own half and proceeded to weave his way through what must have been three separate waves of Coleraine defenders before scoring under the posts for a spectacular individual try.

It was only minutes later that Coleraine responded after a brief period of play in the Enniskillen half, with rapid passing out to the right wing leaving the Enniskillen defence for dead and a simple scoring opportunity for the visitors.

Enniskillen came back well, playing some exciting rugby within the Coleraine 22 metre line and the opposition defence had to work hard to repel some excellent interplay between the Skins’ forwards and backs. Prop Steven Fox showed great awareness with ball in hand to put winger Chris Dickie over the line only for the ref to controversially declare it to be held up.

Good clearance from the Coleraine out half gained the visitors some well needed territory, and after further exploiting the gaps out wide in the Enniskillen defence the Coleraine forwards then mauled it over the line for their second score. (unconverted)

Enniskillen continued to play well in the Coleraine half with Nick Finlay at out half providing great front foot ball for the back line and a break down the wing from Jonny Foster gaining excellent ground.

The forwards continued to wear down the opposition well through Jamie Johnston and Michael Cadden but some handling errors and turnovers gave Coleraine some opportunities to retaliate. With a scrum in the Enniskillen half the visitors managed another score out wide from the first phase with a well executed long pass from the Coleraine out half.

The home supporters were then surely worried for the final score prospects when, despite powerful defensive pressure from the front row of Steven Fox, Ryan Cathcart and Richard Beatty, missed tackles allowed Coleraine to break the line in the middle of the park before passing it out wide for the Coleraine backs to score once again in the right hand corner.

However, Enniskillen came out fighting in the second half looking much more tenacious, David Buchanan and Ricky Lee were a major physical presence in the pack while open side Jack Harte was a constant menace at the ruck area. The back line also seemed to have found their form as a break from newcomer Nathan Richmond was followed by a nicely weighted pass from Nick Finlay to winger Chris Dickie who finished his try in the corner.

All the attacking play came from Enniskillen throughout the second half and they were unlucky to not capitalise on some extended periods of pressure, credit to Coleraine who were very disruptive and forced handling errors and stole possession whenever possible to shut down the Skins’ attack, no doubt attributing to the two Coleraine yellow cards received in the second half.

Enniskillen continued to attack well and looked very composed in their efforts to overturn the lead in the final 20 minutes, additionally their style of play never wavered and they continued to play expansive rugby to the whistle. This paid off with a great display of handling from the back line for the final score; started by Paddy McCleery at the left hand touch line the ball passed through the hands of four Skins’ backs before being finished by Ashley Finlay in the corner, unfortunately to be the last act before the final whistle this left Enniskillen still a point adrift following the Nick Finlay conversion.

Enniskillen will be disappointed with the home defeat but can take heart from the big second half performance and the display of an ability to come back from an intimidating lead, which previous Skins’ sides have lacked.

The First XV now face Dromore in Round 2 of the Junior Cup this Saturday 18th, Kick Off at 2.30pm.

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ENNISKILLEN 2ND XV VS QUEENS

Enniskillen 2^nd XV travelled to Queens University 3^rd XV following a great win from the week before against Ballynahinch and hoping for a repeat. Unfortunately this was not to be, Skins travelled with a depleted but never the less, committed team of only 14 men following approximately 35-40 cry offs throughout the senior club during the week building up to the match. Never the less, the 14 Skins men that took to the pitch at the DUB had a very spirited and hearty performance coming off second best to a youthful and organised Queens team.

Straight from the kick off Enniskillen kept the pressure on playing the majority of the match in the queens half thanks to the accuracy of Keith Hurst’s kicking ensuring the home team were kept pinned back deep into their own half. Along with excellent lineout work from the experienced Wright, Grey and Bradshaw and defensive efforts of the entire team, in particular Joel Johnston who tackled anything in Queens colours that moved, Skins played and excellent tactical game and can feel very unfortunate not to have taken the win from this match.

Unfortunately early in the first half, the accuracy and speed of the queens back line allowed them to score two consecutive tries from deep inside their own half, leaving the score 14-0 from early on to the home side. This score line did not reflect the run of play as skins were in control of all aspects of the game, with Willis, Frazer and Tummons carrying the ball continuously with intent and causing damage.

In the first 10 minutes of the second half the Enniskillen pressure eventually paid off with the scrum, with a new front row of Frazer, Culchie and Wright causing the damage resulting in a Queens player being sent to the bin for repeat offenses at the scrum. Soon after this skins got a penalty 5 metres out and elected to take the scrum. Richie Grey who has a great performance playing at 8, was stopped just inches short but was quickly followed up by Stephen Tummons who touched down for the first Skins try of the match leaving the score 14-5 to the home team.

Shortly after, skins began to build pressure again attacking the Queens line, following numerous forward drives the Skins back line put width on the ball allowing Gordy White to score wide out, the conversion was scored leaving the score 14-12 with ten minutes left to play.

Enniskillen continued as they had done for the entire match, keeping good field position, playing the game deep in the queens half. Following an excellent break by Cathal McGarry, the ball was unfortunately lost allowing the queens backs to again spread the ball wide and score in the corner extending their lead again to 19-12. In the remaining minutes skins came close to taking the lead, attacking the queens line but unfortunately to no avail, leaving the final score 19-12 to Queens.

Even in defeat, the lads that took to the pitch can be extremely proud of their performances, the commitment and the heart shown by each player on the pitch was second to none. Enniskillen RFC would also like to wish William Finlay all the best as this was his last match for Enniskillen for the foreseeable future as he leaves for Canada to take up a new job in the coming weeks.

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ENNISKILLEN YOUTH RUGBY REPORTS 11/10/14

Saturday morning saw the return of competitive youth rugby to Mullaghmeen with the visit of Ballyclare RFC who brought their very competitive and large squads to face the young Skins players at Under 14,16 and 18 age groups.

This would mark a great first for the Enniskillen teams who as consequence of tremendous results in last seasons competitions have been rewarded with promotion to section two of the Ulster Branch League.

— Enniskillen Under 14s v Ballyclare

A good deal of hard work has gone into combining last year’s U12s with the very successful U13 team from the 2013/14 season, but this match, against a strong team from Ballyclare, gave an indication that the work could prove to be very fruitful. Last year’s U13s constituted, by the end of the season, a very well balanced, well drilled side that had no equal in their particular division. The loss of players to the grammar school structure, imposed by a quirk of the Ulster Branch Youth system, was always going to have a considerable effect on a team that had played together for three consecutive seasons. The indication that the effect might not be entirely negative is down to the quality of many of the U12 players who are making the step up to Under 14 level. It would have been very difficult for any rugby pundit to pick out Niall Keenan, Will Greenaway or, particularly Dylan Flynn, as players who were a year younger and a year less experienced than those around them.

That aside it was last year’s stars that made the most immediate impact. The match was not more than 5 minutes old when Matthew Brown spun a quick ball to his out half, Jack O’Hare, who shimmied and side stepped before changing gear to leave the opposition trailing for a try under the posts. Captain, Aaron Clarke, converted. Enniskillen’s forwards were dominant in both loose and set plays and they supplied sufficiently consistent, quick ball to O’Hare, Flynn and Daire Hill in the backs to keep the visitors on the back foot. However, half way through the first half Enniskillen suffered a body blow when their outstanding captain, Aaron Clarke, dislocated his knee, a particularly painful injury. The loss of their athletic and dynamic No. 8 considerably reduced the team’s intensity of play and Ballyclare soon began to gain a greater percentage of the possession. Some strong running by their backs gave them a try before half-time and a 7 to 5 score at the break.

Enniskillen settled to their task in the second half and O’Hare obliged with another converted try. This was answered by an excellent try by the Ballyclare right wing which was converted to bring the score to 14 to 12. Enniskillen kept their composure in the latter part of the second half and Conan Leonard muscled his way over to put the match beyond doubt just before the close of play. The final score of 19 to 12 puts Enniskillen at the top of the Under 14 league.

— Enniskillen Under 16s vrs Ballyclare

The Under 16 team really illustrate what a great game rugby is, as although they have some undoubted star players(see match report) when it comes to playing or training it is a pleasure to watch the entire squad give 100% whether it be the speedy winger, the explosive strength of a centre or the larger players in the pack.

This was clearly shown on Saturday morning when Ballyclare under 16s came to Mullaghmeen having convincingly beaten Omagh RFC last week so the Skins players and coaches knew they would be formidable opponents.

Right from the start Enniskillen put down a marker when from the kick off the ball was gathered in by the pack and quick ball from Ohare allowed Tyler Millar to force his way over the line for the first points of the day the straight forward conversion from Jarlaith Maguire meant after 4 minutes Skins were 7 nil to the good.

The next two scores were very similar when with the home pack really putting Ballyclare under great pressure and the strong running off back row trio Maguire Cleery and Kelly it allowed young Miller to strike again for two more converted tries leaving the Co Antrim lads 21 points down after 17 minutes of play.

Credit must be given to the visitors who kept trying and were rewarded when their winger sprinted over to score after 22 minutes the resulting conversion brought the scoreline to 21 to 7.

Relief was short lived though when in a devastating four minutes the combination of power and slick handling allowed young Millar to add a further two tries bringing the tally to 31 to 7.

The second half was a more balanced period and although the scorers were not troubled it was still a good contest with both defences really getting stuck in and making great tackles, one of particular note a real cracker by young Daniel Roofe who,s cousin Eddy (first team player and a demon tackler himself) would have been proud to execute.

The final score of 31 to 7 leaves the Under 16s in a commanding position at the top of the league.

— Enniskillen Under 18s vrs Ballyclare

The Under 18s have found the transition from last year particularly difficult with a combination of school studies injuries and jobs making it hard to commit to Rugby, this is not a local problem as several larger clubs have had to withdraw this age group from the league competition.

However 13 young Fermanagh men faced a large and combative Ballyclare team on sat and were not intimidated and for the first 20 minutes held the Antrim team in their own half, with the reduced pack carrying ball well and showing great enthusiasm. But the consequence of three injuries meant that although still willing the boys had to concede the game. With the remaining game time allowing Ballyclare to use some of their less experienced players.

Credit must be given to all who took part and all at the club will be trying hard to increase numbers at this critical age group.

ENNISKILLEN LADIES UNDER 18s BLITZ REPORT

On a crisp autumnal Sunday afternoon, Enniskillen Ladies youth rugby team travelled to Virginia Rugby Club in County Cavan to take part in a blitz competition.

Even though several key players were unavailable the U18 side enjoyed a very successful day of Rugby when they combined with an Armagh side that were suffering the same problem.

The day started against a strong Virginia side with a physical reputation and a win already under their belt against Malone. The mix of Enniskillen and Armagh girls did not however shy away from the challenge of their southern opponents. After some hefty challenges coming in from the likes of Alison Glass, Lucy Barr and Claire and Katie Boles, Virginia realised they had a game on their hands. After several minutes of attritional play the backs got the ball in their hands which allowed Mia-Jayne Elliott, Ellie Ingram, Emma Shaw and Rebecca Pennell from the Enniskillen side to show off their fancy footwork. However the Virginia girls did well to neutralise the attacking flare and the game ended up as a draw.

After this the Enniskillen/Armagh mixture had a chance to regroup before facing a Malone side that had a point to prove. Malone started the game off enjoying a lot of possession, however the Enniskillen/Armagh defence was patient and did not crack. With ball in hand the merged side looked dangerous, putting several phases together, eventually getting a try under the sticks.

In the second half the side came into their own, scoring tries for fun and looking comfortable in defence. On the one occasion that Malone threatened the line, an excellent tackle, followed by an outstanding counter ruck saw Skins/Armagh turn the ball over, and ship it wide to the pacy Emma Shaw who scored probably the pick of the days tries, hurtling down the right wing from forty metres out. Most impressive about this performance was the structure and game plan the girls stuck to from the very start.

For four of the Skins U18 girls there was one more game to play as Rebecca Pennell, Lucy Barr, Alison Glass and Claire Boles lined up for the Ulster Regional Development Squad to face a tiring Virginia side. All four Skins girls played brilliantly, with Claire Boles even crossing the whitewash for a score to help the RDS squad to a well deserved victory.

The U15’s on the other hand suffered before the day had even started and by Sunday morning half the original squad had pulled out. However five girls did travel and joined in with a strong Dungannon side.

Their first encounter came against a speedy Clogher Valley side that had narrowly lost against the ever physical Virginia. With the long bus journey still affecting the girls, Clogher Valley took advantage of this, roaring into an early lead. The early setback however, sparked the Skins and Dungannon girls into life who fought back well, to come away with the win over their local rivals.

The second game against Virginia was a close contest, but the hosts benefited from the short break and came out firing on all cylinders. The young Skins girls did themselves proud, but ultimately lost out to a strong Virginia team.

Throughout the two games the fearless Tammy Millar, and Powerful Ellie Rix gave the Skins/Dungannon mixture a great go forward platform from which the illusive Grace Elliott nearly scored several times. Credit must go as well to Roxanne Dolan and Amy McNulty. Although it was their first ever taste of competitive rugby, both weren’t afraid to get stuck in, doing sterling work for their team.

All in all a good day at the office for the young Skins Ladies who have once again shown that ladies rugby in Fermanagh keeps going from strength to strength.