Enniskillen travelled to participate in the host club's "High King Tens" tournament on Saturday and after a hard workout emerged victorious in the junior competition.
This prestigious tournament, now in its seventh year, is viewed by many clubs as a chance to introduce new players and to encourage teamwork and team spirit in the build up to the new season. Many of the previous competition winners have gone on to enjoy very successful seasons and attributed this success to the head start that they obtained by taking part in this tournament.
It was a tremendous effort to win, especially having lost narrowly to the hosts in the second pool game 17–13, shipping a last minutes score, but as arguably the best squad on display they were able to turn this around and defeat the hosts 24–7 in the final, with Jimmy Moore contributing three tries, in a game that they dominated.
Coach Lachlan Ferguson praised his squad, particularly given that a couple of early niggling injuries effectively reduced the squad available for the later games. "The win was reward for a lot of hard work put in, not only over the past few weeks, but in the past year. The fitness achieved held the boys in good stead, and the win can do nothing but good for the squad as the league starts this week."
While this was a great squad effort, there were some standouts, among them the aforementioned Moore, and skipper Willie Gibson, who displayed his leadership with his efforts and workrate. David McDonald must have been in with a shout for player of the tournament, if such a thing exists, with his overall performance as he ran himself into the ground for the Enniskillen cause. Among the forwards, the front row performed their 'traditional' scrummage duties to fine aplomb and in the truncated game their mobility was not found wanting.
Coach Ferguson said afterwards that, 'they were arguably the best front row on display', and Stevie Welsh capped things off with a great solo try from close on halfway. No doubt the yardage probably got longer as the celebrations in the evening went on!
Another pleasing aspect was the contributions of a number of players stepping up from the youth ranks, with Ruari Fee and Gavin Parke continuing their fine pre-season form. Another player, who caught the eye, was Nicky Finlay, who was in a different class in the No.10 jersey, and looking confident and assured; it was as if he had owned the jersey for years.
As with the previous pre-season games, a number of players who have been playing lower down the club in recent seasons got an opportunity to show their talent and among those, Gordy White, Emmett McFadden and Richard 'clubman' Grey in particular impressed, and certainly no one among the 15 who travelled could be accused of letting the side down.
Thoughts now turn to Saturday and the start of the Qualifying League season, and a visit for the first 'derby' of the season to Omagh.
This is a tough start for 'Skins as Omagh have in recent years proved a thorn in Enniskillen's flesh. They possess a tough, uncompromising pack that has to be bettered to set up a result, but no one is in any doubt about this Enniskillen side's ability and fortitude.
Coach Lachlan Ferguson feels that, 'if the forwards can win enough quality ball then the youthful squad can get the season off on the right note', and he added, "It has been an excellent pre-season to this point with the victory in Navan boosting the confidence in the squad. It is time now to put the past few weeks behind us, and it is all about how the players react on Saturday that counts. We need to take the good work forward and show what we are made of."
FIXTURES
1st XV – Omagh – Away.
2nd XV – Omagh 2nd XV – Home.
4th XV – City of Derry 3rd XV - Away.
