ENNISKILLEN UNDER-14S ......... 49
BALLYNAHINCH UNDER-14S ........ 5
Enniskillen claimed their first Ulster title, when as conference winners they defeated premier winners, Ballynahinch in a seven try romp at Armagh.
Inspirational skipper and ultimate Man of the Match John McKenzie showed Enniskillen's cutting edge after just three minutes when he made a great break in midfield. On this occasion, the support was a little slow, but the opening score was only a minute away.
Ballynahinch had managed to slow down the recycling following McKenzie's break, but eventually the ball found its way to left-wing Nathan Green, who beat his opponent to sprint clear from just short of halfway, and cross behind the posts for a try. Sean Corrigan kicked the conversion, a feat he was to achieve six more times for a 100% record in the match.
Ballynahinch had a few big runners who threatened only occasionally and rarely made any great inroads into the Enniskillen half, and the young 'Skins enjoyed territorial advantage throughout.
With 13 minutes gone, Corrigan fielded a high clearance kick superbly coming out of the lights and set off on a run taking on the onrushing defenders and making some good yards before offloading to Kane Connor in the tackle. Connor then rounded the defensive line into space and ran home from 40 metres to add the second try.
The scoreboard was ticking over with great regularity and seven minutes later, Enniskillen stretched their lead further, and it was an excellent running line by Green, off a short pass, which created the space, splitting the defence to allow the winger to score his second try.
Enniskillen were running the ball at will and looked dangerous every time they were in possession. Ciaran Dolan, on the right wing, was involved in two moves that but for some slack handling should have resulted in tries.
Ballynahinch, having recovered a fumble, were then stopped in their tracks by a thunderous tackle and from the resulting ruck, that man McKenzie broke free to streak clear of the defence to touchdown leaving the half-time score at 28–0.
Three substitutions at the half-time break could not stop the Enniskillen juggernaut and from the kick-off Stuart Connor added a fifth try. Ballynahinch lost the ball in the tackle and Kane Connor picked up. His run was somewhat too lateral but a short pass to Stuart, and a lovely sidestep from the centre beat the drifting defence and a try followed.
This was the signal for more changes, which again did little to disrupt the game. Ballynahinch tried to kick themselves out of danger but one cross-field kick went astray and from the maul, Kane Connor broke off the side to score from distance.
Enniskillen made further changes and shortly after added their seventh try. A quick penalty was taken by the forwards who rumbled their opponents down field, sucking in defenders in the process. The centre combination of McKenzie and Stuart Connor had been outstanding and having drawn the man, McKenzie released Connor, and like a knife through butter he was gone, finishing the Enniskillen scoring with an extravagant dive under the posts. With the extra points, the lead was an impressive 49 points.
With only a few minutes remaining, Enniskillen introduced further subs, ensuring that every squad member got a game in the league finale, but it was Ballynahinch who scored the last points with a consolation try right on the final whistle. They had been pressing the Enniskillen line for a few minutes and indeed it was the closest that they had came all evening.
They won an Enniskillen lineout and tried to barge their way over, but Enniskillen wanted the clean sheet and their defence stood firm. They then tried to go out wide, again without any joy, before the referee brought play back for a penalty.
Ballynahinch then did manage to get a score, with a twice taken penalty and the annoyance on the faces of the Enniskillen players was evidence of how disappointed they were, even in victory, to have conceded a score.
The referee's whistle brought some wild scenes of jubilation with all 27 players huddled together before John McKenzie was handed the league trophy, which will sit nicely with the Floodlit Cup won earlier in the season. The season is far from over with the cup competition starting with a home tie against neighbours Clogher Valley this Wednesday, 7th March, a welcome distraction from the elections!
FIXTURES
1st XV – Ballymoney – away – Junior Cup.
4th XV – City of Derry – away - League.
