ENNISKILLEN U-16S ..................... 3

BELFAST H'QUINS U-16S .............. 0

Enniskillen secured a place in the Under-16 Plate Final, with a narrow victory over 'Quins, but for long periods of the match, the contest was not as close as the scoreline suggests, but it meant a very nervy end to the game.

Enniskillen's forward pack dominated up front and right from the third minute showed their mauling ability, driving 'Quins back into their own "22" before a needless penalty negated any scoring chance.

The only score of the game arrived halfway through a first period that was played mainly in the middle third of the pitch, and followed a good series of drives through the forwards, with openside flanker Richie O'Callaghan to the fore. Dale McClean slotted over a sweet penalty after the visitors were caught offside.

The Belfast side's backline had looked ominous in the pre-match and Enniskillen's tactics were very much to starve them of good ball and the forwards certainly stepped up to the mark, with the back row of O'Callaghan, Hazlett Brien and Eddie Roofe all putting in superb performances.

When 'Quins did get some possession, the ball was not good and Enniskillen's scrambling defence was excellent, with the visitors being forced into some lateral runs. The front five used their muscle against what looked a big visiting unit to keep 'Quins pegged into their own half. McClean had two further opportunities to increase the lead, either side of half-time, but could not make them count.

The second period saw 'Skins again dominate, this time spending long periods inside the visitors' 22, but could not put the final touch to their possession.

One particular period was started with a great thrusting run from substitute Jason Taylor, who could be an incredible asset to the side.

Harlequins could not get much distance on the clearing kick and from the lineout Brien made a great break and the recycled ball was for once quickly fed along the backline to nearly score in the corner. Pressure on the ball kept 'Quins deep in their own half, and a great break from McClean, following a fine lineout steal from O'Callaghan, and offload to Roofe almost saw the hosts again in the corner.

Enniskillen's tails were up and Taylor then forced a five metre scrum with some fine defence on the visitors' line. With a steady scrum, Taylor then came off his left wing berth to break through tackles only to be stopped on the goal line.

The failure to add any points from this period of play was frustrating and perhaps the forwards tried the 'pick and go' too often at times, and in looking for the extra yard once their drive had been stopped the presentation of the ball to the half-backs was poor, with the possession not then getting released to the backline going forward.

Harlequins did see more of the ball in the closing minutes, but never really threatened the Enniskillen line, with the defence certainly up for this one as they sensed a final spot was theirs for the taking.

The jubilation was plain to see at the final whistle, and the team coach Bruno had to be cooled down by some of his players, Super Bowl style (only without the buckets of Gatorade) to bring him back down to earth.