Skins' promotion hopes hanging by a thread
Editorial Department • Published 19 Jan 2012 13:00
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Ballyclare 1st XV 29; Enniskillen 1st XV 10;
Enniskillen's hopes of returning to Qualifying Section One suffered a serious blow when they lost to fellow promotion hopefuls Ballyclare by 29-10 on Saturday.
The win elevated Ballyclare to second while Skins now trail unbeaten Coleraine by seven points as they sit in fourth place in the league. Skins now play unbeaten Coleraine on Saturday at Mullaghmeen and they will not only need to win this game but also their remaining six games and hope other results go their way if they are to secure a much sought after promotion.
Ballyclare never looked back after securing a a 19-0 lead in this encounter. Skins never gave up and did have chances to reduce the deficit early in the second half when the score was 12-0 especially when Alan Ferguson was unlucky not to score when he was held up over the line after which Ballyclare scored their third try of the game to pretty much seal the deal.
However, with the forwards taking the game to the home team, Skins continued to press and tries from Ally Duncan and Mark Hurst kept them within touching distance until Ballyclare secured the bonus point with the final score of the game late on.
This was massive game for both teams and Ballyclare, who have been on a great run since losing to Skins at Mullaghmeen earlier in the season, started the better and edged the opening 20 minutes.
Then a powerful surge from Ballyclare's Crothers made ground and Weatherup carried on upfield only to be penalised. But the next break this time created by Byers ended with Baird racing in for a try which was converted by Morrow for a 7-0 lead. Skins responded well and countered, forcing a penalty from distance which was just wide from the boot of Tiernan Daly.
Indeed, Daly was unlucky with a couple of other long range penalties as Skins remained right in the game.
However, Ballyclare then made it 12-0 when a good run from Weatherup made the opening for Clotworthy to get in for a score on the right and Morrow added the conversion to leave 12 between the teams at the break.
Skins started the second half well and the forwards carried the game to the opposiiton with a sustained period of possession deep in the Ballyclare 22.
Ferguson looked to have brought the Mullaghmeen side right back into the game but he was adjudged to have been held up over the line before Ballyclare then cleared their lines.
To add insult to injury, Ballyclare clinically punished the Skins with their third try of the game as Baird notched his second fo the game which was converted to give them a 19-0 lead.
Enniskillen never game up though and were soon back in the Ballyclare 22. Scrum half Ricky Connor cleverly kicked over the 'Clare backs and Ally Duncan won the race to the touchdown in the left corner to make it 19-5.
A drop goal put the visitors 22-5 up before Skisn got their second try. This time centre Mark Hurst scored after the forwards had once again secured good field position. Two scores separated the teams with Ballyclare looking for the bonus point for a fourth try and this they secured late on to leave the final score at 29-10 as Skins now have a mountain to climb.
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 19 Jan 12
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