Enniskillen 1XV 22

Instonians 1XV 54

Unbeaten league leaders Instonians proved too strong for Enniskillen at Mullaghmeen last weekend in a high scoring affair where Skins managed to battle for the four-try bonus point, a point not lost on coach Stevie Welsh who praised his side’s effort in the second period.

Welsh also bemoaned some “big mistakes” that were ruthlessly capitalised upon by the visitors.

Welsh said: ““It was tough. We were going in with a good feeling that we might have got something out of the game. But we started poorly and they scored straight from the off. We regrouped and scored but for 20 minutes we made big mistakes which they capitalised on.”

Welsh though was proud of his side’s effort in the second half which saw them claim a try scoring bonus point.

“I’m proud of the boys in the second half. They dug in and scored three tries.”

Looking ahead to the game against C.I.Y.M.S this weekend Welsh is hoping his players will bounce back: “We have four games in January to focus on and pick up as many points as we can. We are going up there to try and do a job.”

It could easily have been a long day for Enniskillen as Inst showed their attacking ability early on; swift hands saw the ball go to the Inst winger who crossed in the corner, leading 0-5.

Skins reacted well from the restart however and exerted pressure in the Inst 22; after a good phase of play John Maguire crossed for a score to even things up at 5-5 after 10 minutes.

The visitors continued to hold the ball well and it took a major defensive effort from Skins to slow play. A kick to the corner gave the visitors some territory and their centre crossed for the next score.

Skins moved the ball well and looked threatening in attack for a great display of rugby between the sides on the day but some errors led to some successive soft scores that effectively put the result to bed early on before Enniskillen found their feet.

A dropped ball outside the 22 was picked up by the Inst centre who crossed for a third try. Another score came shortly afterwards, following a line break through the centre, a bonus point achieved for the visitors at 5-26. A similar score off a lineout had Inst wrap up the first half leading 5-33.

Thankfully Skins showed their resolve in the second half, moving the visitors about with some of the accurate handling and attack we’ve seen in recent weeks ending with Steven Fox crossing in the corner.

Another score came shortly afterwards with a well worked backs move that looked to be straight off the training ground, splitting the defence for Mark O’Shea at centre to score under the posts, to leave Skins trailing 17-33.

Inst settled themselves now sensing the threat and they responded with a good use of territory to pin Enniskillen back in their half, scoring from a tap penalty after a period inside the Skins 22, 17-40 now to Inst.

Two more Instonians tries followed in the final quarter to mark an impressive points tally for the visitors, a solid set piece and deadly finishing record proving too hard to subdue on the day.

In the last play of the game Skins managed an important fourth try bonus point as Gavin Parke crossed in the corner, a just reward for continuing to battle against very stern opposition, and ending the fixture at 22-54.

There were plenty of positives for Skins despite a stark scoreline.

The lineout functioned well through Steven Fox, and new addition Matthew Graham put in a huge shift in open play, while the backline continued to prove dangerous on occasion as Skins may be the only side to score four tries against this supreme Inst side this season.

Skins head to CIYMS this Saturday to try and solidify their top four position and will also have one eye on the Towns Cup, of which they are the holders, as they look forward to hosting Portadown in their first game of the campaign on February 12.