ENNISKILLEN 3RD XV ....................... 24
BELFAST HARLEQUINS 5TH XV ............. 0
Enniskillen recorded a somewhat comfortable win in difficult conditions, with both sides having to contend with driving cross field rain in the first half.
The Thirds made a bright start taking the game to the visitors from the off, putting them on the back foot. It was clear from the beginning that the forwards were going to be too strong for their opponents and this proved the case, with them building some excellent platforms for the backs to work with.
The opening score arrived after ten minutes when Eamon Brogan took an excellent running line off his centre to cut through the Harlequins' defence and score under the posts. Keith Hurst added two points for a seven-point lead.
Shortly after, Hurst squandered an excellent opportunity to add further points, but his penalty attempt from almost the same spot screwed wide when his balance seemed to be affected!
Harlequins did rally as the half wore on and Enniskillen were forced into one goal-line stand with minutes of the first half remaining, but they held firm and repelled the danger. Despite the best efforts of both sides, the weather won the battle, causing a lot of mistakes, with knock-ons and forward passes in abundance and the score remained 7–0 at half-time.
The rain let up slightly in the second half and Enniskillen added three more tries. The first was scored early in the half by Chris Dickey, who came off his wing to burst through the midfield to again score under the posts. Hurst added the conversion to double Enniskillen's lead.
The forwards were continuing to control the game and late on Raymond Savage rumbled over for an unconverted try after a series of rucks and mauls close to the Harlequins' line.
Brian Wilson, whose contribution had been immense all afternoon, broke clear from about 20 metres out to score a well-deserved try. Again, the two points went a-begging.
Harlequins offered little threat, and hardly set foot in the Enniskillen half of the field in the second period. The final score of 24–0 was a pleasing result for the Thirds, who have had an erratic season to date with cry-offs by visiting teams, and a hard schedule of away games hampering their progress. Hopefully, this win will gave them some impetus going into this week's fixture at neighbours Clogher Valley.
