Skins coach Norman Richmond has stated that they need to address a lack of leadership and composure if they are not to waste a good first half of the season following Saturday’s 3-20 loss to Carrickfergus at Mullaghmeen.

February has been a disastrous month for Enniskillen and Richmond will be hoping that a new month brings about a change of results as they look to produce a positive conclusion to the campaign.

“Conditions on Saturday did not allow for any free flowing rugby to be played - Carrick remained composed and took advantage of any mistakes made and capitalised. There appeared again to be a real lack of leadership and composure within the team which has crept into the team over the month of February and which has led to sub standard performances on game day; this needs to be addressed otherwise what was an excellent first half of the season will be wasted as this team is much better than what has been on display recently. We will have to put this right with our next game away to Holywood on Saturday and hopefully finish the season on a high.” Saturday clash against title contending Carrickfergus was played in atrocious conditions and saw Enniskillen struggling to put anything expansive together in poor conditions, and then perhaps being out muscled by a larger forward pack in some pivotal moments of the game to make the difference in a tight encounter.

Enniskillen started well playing with the wind, and strong running from Ashley Finlay made good yards early on to put Carrick under pressure; Chris McVitty also executed some masterful kicks to pin the visitors back. Indeed, a break from out-half McVitty made excellent ground before a penalty at the breakdown gave the home side an opportunity for three points in front of the posts, taken with ease by McVitty to put Skins in the lead.

The response from Carrick was swift an from a 22 drop out their big second row made a clean break through only to be eventually taken down not far from the Enniskillen try line by David Buchanan, the scramble defence was industrious but Carrick had been gifted too many yards and eventually crossed the line for a try.

Most of the play remained in the middle of the park for an extended period as both teams wrestled for the ascendency, Enniskillen defended well and big hits came in from Alan Wilkinson and Michael Cadden to name a few, but when in attack Enniskillen simply weren’t clinical enough. Carrick in contrast took their opportunities well and following a penalty for offside on the half way line used the kick to touch to set up a line-out on the Enniskillen 22-metre line, a further penalty at the maul allowed Carrick to take another three points before half time to leave the visitors 10-3 up.

The conditions worsened in the second half and the pitch really started to come apart but Enniskillen started the half positively with Johnston and Maguire carrying well while a beautifully executed cross field kick from McVitty was excellently taken by Robert Connor approaching the Carrick try line only to be unfortunately fumbled in contact.

The pressure was truly turned around then as a Carrick clearance kick was knocked on by the receiver on the Enniskillen 22-metre line, the resulting scrum was dominated by Carrick who were then awarded the penalty, choosing to kick to touch. The line-out was taken well by Carrick on the 5-metre line and after numerous pick and go’s from the forwards eventually crossed the try line to leave the score 15-3, and Enniskillen’s hope of reprisal fairly well dashed.

Carrick added to their lead when Skins were powerless to avoid being pushed back over their own line from a scrum and allowing a simple touch down for the Carrick number eight to leave the score 20-3.

Enniskillen had some good phases in the last 15 minutes as, knowing they were beaten, began to play more expansively and spread the ball wide quite well given the conditions.

Alan Wilkinson put in some powerful carries at inside centre, and Robert Connor and Ashley Finlay managed to find space out wide and made good ground on a few attempts, but again a knock on inside the Carrick 22-metre gave the visitors another let off.

The game finished 20-3 to Carrickfergus as both sides looked relieved to see the end of the encounter in what was a miserable day for rugby. Enniskillen now play away to Holywood this weekend in an opportunity to capture an elusive win against the struggling league side.