Enniskillen captain Richard Connor described Saturday’s defeat to Carrickfergus as “one of the low points of the season” as they went down 31-16 to the East Antrim side.

Both sides have had similar seasons and are occupying positions towards the lower end of the table but it was the home team who were to pick up the victory, leaving Connor searching for a good response in the final four games of the campaign.

“It was one of the low points of the season. I thought we had a decent first half but from the first whistle, our defending just wasn’t up to scratch and we weren’t putting the work in. We have had a positive reaction at training this week and we hope to get some positive results in our final four league games.” Skins made an early impression in turning over the Carrick scrum, allowing Alan Wilkinson to find a good touch deep in the Carrick half. Following a Carrick crooked throw, Skins won the scrum and drove well towards the Carrick line winning a penalty which Daniel Allister successfully converted.

From the re-start Carrick brought play deep into the Enniskillen half and remained there for a series of plays. Good defence by Skins resulted in a penalty which brought play to the half-way line on the 15-minute mark.

Carrick’s lineout was proving very solid and their attack carried more menace. A good move across the backline resulted in an unconverted try and a 5-3 lead after 20 minutes.

Carrick came back into the Skins half but a good tackle by Alex Gormley and a kick by Wilkinson brought play deep into the Carrick half. Securing the ball, Skins had a series of forward drives which resulted in a penalty which was successfully converted by Allister to give Skins a 6-5 lead.

Although Carrick pressed again, good work by Wilkinson and Holden brought play into the Carrick half. Skins were awarded a penalty which was quickly taken and well-moved to allow Carleton to score a good try in the corner to give the visitors an 11-5 lead after 30 minutes.

A catch and drive by Gormley and then Johnston allowed Wilkinson to kick deep into the Carrick half and gain a good position. Good carries by Foster created a chance but the pass was almost intercepted. Play was back and forth with Skins missing a further penalty. When the Carrick no 7 was yellow-carded Skins struck with a good phase of play ending with a try by Holden although the easy conversion was missed. There was no further score and half-time arrived with Skins in a comfortable 16-5 lead.

At the start of the second half Carrick attacked immediately and moved the ball well right and left and scored a try rather too easily. With the return of their no 7 Carrick upped their game. Skins seemed to flag and gave away three penalties in a row. Carrick set up a good maul and then moved the ball well to score a third try to lead 17-16 after 50 minutes. At this stage of the game, whether from fatigue or the long lay-off, the visitors forward effort declined and the scrum in particular came under pressure.

Another good Carrick maul resulted in a penalty. Carrick kicked to the corner but Skins won the lineout and cleared. A poor Skins scrum allowed Carrick to gain possession and their no 8 ran unchallenged for 30 metres. The ball was recycled and moved left and then right for a straightforward score which was converted to leave the score 24-16 after 60 minutes. Skins had a very poor restart which gave possession back to Carrick.

Good pressure from Buchanan regained possession and another good kick by Wilkinson gained a foothold in the Carrick 22.

A lineout to Skins was followed by a scrum which saw Johnston get over the line only to be held up. Skins were awarded a further scrum and then a penalty and did strive to get the next score.

Instead of keeping the ball tight it was moved and then knocked-on giving Carrick a scrum and effectively ending any chance the visitors had. Carrick scored a final converted try with the last move of the match to give them a well-deserved, if slightly flattering, victory by 31-16.