Enniskillen 3rd XV – 14 Rainey 4th XV – 12
Enniskillen entertained Rainey 4’s in the Quarter Final of The Butler Shield on a day where all four seasons came in typical Fermanagh style, and the home side knew that they would have to raise their level of performance to progress to the semi-final of the competition.
‘Skins started with a strong breeze at their back, but it was the visitors who were in control, applying the early pressure, but staunch defence kept the Magherafelt men out. Outhalf Keith Hurst had the firsts coring attempt as he tried a range finder of a penalty kick from half way, but the breeze at his back just pushed it wide.
The Enniskillen pack were on top in the tight and Steven Frazer in particular was very impressive, hooking at least eight balls against the head. Hurst made no mistake with his second attempt at the posts and shortly after made another succesful effort to put his side 6 – 0 up.
The game was turning rather ferocious and there were several nasty off the ball incidents but ‘Skins to their credit did not react, and in general the team’s discipline was very impressive, after several games where it left alot to be desired!
On the half hour ‘Skins increased thier lead, a pre rehearsed lineout move saw Frankie Fee take clean ball and pop to Ross Duncan who as usual crashed over the line with a trail of opposition attempted tacklers wondering just what had happenned! The touchline conversion was missed. Skins were 11 – 0 up at the break.
As the second half started, so did a torrential hail shower, leaving the game almost unplayable! Rainey took advantage of the situation and scored two tries with skins blinded by the hail shower into their faces. One of the conversions was succesful to give the visitors a 12 – 11 lead.
‘Skins knew this was it, they had to raise their performance, and eventually after alot of controlled posession, the visitors conceded a cynical penalty in front of their posts when a home try was inevitable! Hurst slotted it over, putting the Fermanagh men back in the lead 14 -12.
With a slender lead ‘Skins played the next few phases rather nervously with the vistors bouyed knowing they had to score, and that any score would put them back in the driving seat. But some fantastic play from Fee, Duncan, Frazer, Warrington and Rodney Kingston in particular kept the home side in control. Then just as the referee signalled the last play of the game the home side were harshly penalised thirty yards from their own posts, in the middle of the field. Rainey knew this would win them the game and as their winger stepped up to take the kick you could hear a pin drop at Mullaghmeen. Somehow he managed to screw it to the left of the posts, when it seemed easier to convert and the referee sounded the whistle and the home side knew they had been let of the hook big style!
All eighteen men put in a fantasic effort and are rewarded with a semi final spot, looking to bring The Butler Shield back to Enniskillen RFC for the first time since the year 2000.
