It was a busy week for Enniskillen Rugby Club with two friendly fixtures, played as squad sessions, last Tuesday night against Letterkenny at Mullaghmeen and then on Saturday when they visited Sligo. And a good week it was too with wins in both games.
Against Letterkenny, a squad in excess of 35 players was used, with everyone getting a run out during the four 20 minute sessions.
In the first session, Enniskillen fielded a strong 15 and from the outset they tried to get the ball wide at every opportunity and indeed a fine break by Stevie Neill from full-back carved an opening from which he himself scored after a couple of phases of possession. David McDonald made the conversion. The young looking Letterkenny side plugged away and shortly after scored an equalising try from a well-worked lineout move in the corner, but the conversion went a-begging. Enniskillen missed three very good chances to add to their score when the final ball went to ground in what was an awful night for rugby.
The second session saw a completely different 'Skins XV take the field, with certainly less experience on show, but again they played some very enterprising rugby, and the forwards continued to control a bigger Letterkenny pack, testament to the fitness achieved over a hard pre-season.
The changes were rung again during the third quarter and Neill added his second try, after a period of sustained pressure from Enniskillen, when they camped close to the Letterkenny line.
The final quarter again saw many changes, but Enniskillen did add a third try through winger Jimmy Moore, when he finished off a good sweeping back move in the corner, for a 17–5 win.
A smaller squad of 25 then travelled to Sligo on Saturday, on what again was a miserable day. So much for summer rugby! Despite missing half-a-dozen or more players who will probably feature strongly in the 1st XV squad this coming season, those that did travel again put up an admirable display to win by 15–3, scoring three tries and keeping their line intact.
The first two tries demonstrated the rugby we all like to see. The forwards had again dominated their opponents, keeping them on the back foot for large periods, and the first try came after the forwards had pushed Sligo off the ball in their own scrum for the second set piece in succession, and swift transfer along the backs saw Emmett McFadden dart in at the corner.
Early in the second quarter, Sligo got points on the forward with a straight forward penalty shot, before Ruari Fee scored Enniskillen's second try. Again, great work from the forwards set the platform. Skipper Willie Gibson and Stevie Welsh punched holes with some good ball carrying and again quick hands set up the score. Rory Ferguson first spotted a half gap and his break brought a defender in, and he then set up Fee, who danced down the line evading two would-be tacklers for the score.
The game continued much in the same vein through the third and fourth quarters, and no matter what forward combination was on the field, Enniskillen kept Sligo on their heels, and likewise the backs had the opposition well shackled. David Taylor had some big runs earning valuable metres up the middle and Ally Duncan was having an inspired performance on the wing, with some great running, but also he put in some great tackles, including on a number of occasions against Sligo forwards, trying to break down the flanks. The final try came in the fourth quarter and Gavin Parke was the scorer, only a few days after his 18th birthday. Yet another big push on the Sligo scrum saw them lose control and Parke was the quickest to react.
Enniskillen's fitness levels were admirable and while it is too early to get too excited, the players worked hard as a team creating fine openings in both games. It was hard to see the full potential of the team given the number of personnel changes, but a few players did put their hands up for a 1st XV place when they got their chance, and while some may not be automatic first choice come 1st September, if they apply themselves in a 2nd XV jersey, their time may come.
Next stop is Navan for the annual Tens tournament this Saturday, which should prove a good final fitness workout ahead of the league campaign.
