Enniskillen’s 3rd Battalion got a well-deserved first league win at the fourth time of asking against a very determined and dogged Rainey team who to their credit played the whole game with thirteen men and gave a very respectable performance.
‘Skins started frantically and after several phases in the Rainey half of the field were awarded a penalty in front of the visitors posts, which Keith Hurst easily despatched for a three point lead.
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The first try came after some good work by the pack, ably marshalled by Chris Fox at scrum half, with Ross Duncan the beneficiary, as the man to touch down with a destructive charge through the Rainey rearguard.
From the kick off Rainey applied pressure and the visiting out half kicked an easy penalty to reduce the arrears, but ‘Skins were on the ascendency and it was Duncan again who got a well deserved second try after another barnstorming run.
Using their numerical advantage ‘Skins added four further tries before half time from the impressive Andrew Murphy, Richie ‘The Barra’ Beatty, Michael Law and Keith Hurst, with Rainey replying with three penalties and a converted try, after some soft defending.
The second half started in a similar fashion to the way the first ended, with ‘Skins on the front foot. Duncan was again leading the way with excellent, direct, running, as was Norman Richmond in the centre. The wing forwards, Frankie Fee and Andy McCleery, supported well in the loose, as well as stealing and securing valuable lineout ball.
For the record ‘Skins scored another four tries in the second half, Niall Carberry and Mark Connor crossed the line, whilst Law and Beatty both got their second. Indeed Beatty impressively drop kicked his conversion, with Keith Hurst converting five of the other nine tries.
Rainey did manage to secure a second converted try and two further penalties to make the game one of the highest points scoring matches seen at Mullaghmeen.
It was good to see Steven Frazer back in action after departing the pitch last week as a precaution in an ambulance!
All in all it was a pleasing performance, but the lads know an improved performance will be required next week when Banbridge visit Mullaghmeen.
Elsewhere, two penalties from Scott Burrell secured a valuable draw for Enniskillen 2nds away at Ballymena, but in truth if the pressure put on the hosts by ‘Skins forward pack had been converted into points, this was a game for the taking!
Fixtures
2nd Xv – Away – Ballynahinch IV
3rd XV – Home – Banbridge V
Under-19 – Away – Dungannon
Youth – Home – Inishowen
Mini-Rugby – Under 7s, 8s and 9s – Away – Clogher Valler
Under 10s, 11s and 12s – Home
Please note all mini-rugby players to report at 9:30 whether home
