OMAGH ................................................ 8

ENNISKILLEN ...................................... 17

Enniskillen made the short journey to Omagh, a venue that has not been a happy hunting ground for 'Skins in recent years, and returned victorious with a well-deserved victory.

Despite dominating the possession, Enniskillen could not put the finishing touches to their game, and it was understandable that in the first competitive game of the season there was some rustiness.

The forwards set the platform for the win with some strong scrummaging, often stealing Omagh's possession, and also some powerful rucking.

Skipper Willie Gibson was having his usual forceful game and produced the first real piece of class with a step inside after taking the ball from out-half Nicky Finlay before being dragged to ground after making some 40–50 metres.

With a strong wind blowing in their favour in the first half, Enniskillen did not sacrifice their ambitious running game, but still managed to hold the possession and territorial advantage.

It was 20 minutes before the first points were added, when Finlay converted a penalty.

The strike was sweet and in the final 20 minutes of the half, Finlay added two more penalties for a 9–0 lead at half-time.

This lead could have conceivably been greater but the timing and passes were just a bit off, and the ball going to ground too often stopped the backline in their tracks.

Direct from the restart, Enniskillen conceded a penalty, which was converted comfortably, reducing the lead to six points.

Seven minutes later, Omagh were reduced to 14 men after scrum-half David McDonald was levelled with a dangerous tackle attempting to take a quick penalty.

Enniskillen's forwards were again putting their opposition to the sword, forcing them on the back foot, but as with the first half, the points were hard to come by.

Omagh were then reduced to 13 men with 12 minutes of the half gone when their hooker deliberately interfered with the play from an offside position, after Gibson had again made a great break through the Omagh line and a score seemed likely.

Enniskillen elected to take a scum, and, despite a fumble, Enniskillen's forwards drove straight through the home side's lesser numbers and created a break on the narrow blind side, where Nigel Johnston dived over for a try on his debut.

Finlay's conversion was missed into the breeze and the lead was extended to 14–3.

Omagh replied with a try of their own eight minutes later. The home side had been enjoying an edge in the mauls that they set up from lineouts, and from one close to Enniskillen's line the forwards rumbled over, with the prop getting the last touch.

From wide out, the conversion was missed, but Enniskillen's lead was cut to 14–8.

Enniskillen's response was immediate with Finlay converting his fourth penalty.

Omagh's discipline was letting them down and after 32 minutes of the second half, they suffered their third yellow card of the match, when the wing forward used his shoulder in a dangerous tackle on Gibson, who to add insult to injury didn't even have the ball!

The hits were coming thick and fast and in another incident Mark O'Callaghan was taken out with a dangerous tackle, but this went unnoticed by the official.

Enniskillen closed out the game in the final minutes and prevented Omagh from obtaining a losing bonus point.

A great performance from the pack, with the front row in particular standing out, not only in the scrum but also around the park.

Stevie Welsh had an outstanding game carrying the ball frequently, and with his and Gibson's lead, the forwards ground Omagh into virtual submission.