Enniskillen 1st XV 14 Carrickfergus 1st XV 3

Enniskillen 1st XV kept their winning ways going last weekend as they defeated visitors Carrickfergus on a cold, wet and windy day at Mullaghmeen.

Conditions made the game an arm wrestle for much of the encounter but a determined defensive display kept the visitors out despite often threatening the try line, while Skins took their opportunities well.

Skins had the early pressure in the Carrick half but failed to capitalise from some line outs inside the 22' in tricky conditions. Carrick did well to exit with the wind at their backs and began a long period of attack on the Skins line with multiple reset scrums and looking like a score for the visitors was on the cards, but for a crucial scrum penalty in Skins' favour thanks to the front row of Warrington, Beatty and Graham.

Skins had a go through the backs from midfield and Keys moved the ball well at out-half with Hill and Balfour in midfield making inroads, but again handling errors ended the pressure and Carrick used the wind well to start another period of attack in the Skins half, coming away with three points this time after a penalty shot at goal.

The kicking battle continued but Foster at fullback was solid. From a line out inside the Carrick 22' Skins broke from the maul and began a furious series of carries through Rutledge and Buchanan with James Carleton finishing the score, converted by Keys to lead 7-3, a positive result into the wind.

Handling errors had a number of scrums in midfield for the remainder of the first half and a penalty won by Carleton at the ruck gave Skins another shot at a line out inside the Carrick 22'; the ball was unfortunately fumbled at the maul and the half ended as it stood, 7-3.

Skins started the second half in great fashion with Keys, now with the wind at his back albeit much reduced, placing a perfect restart into the Carrick half. Skins regained possession with Carrick under pressure on the line and eventually Buchanan crossed for a score after a few short range carries from the forwards, converted again by Keys to increase the lead to 3-14.

With a half hour remaining Skins likely hoped they could assert some dominance, but the poor conditions and a stubborn Carrick side made the remainder of the contest hard fought throughout. Carrick ventured into Skins’ half but Daire Hill carried well to relieve pressure while Eddie Keys cleared their line.

Skins went on the offensive now after a well taken ball from Paul McConkey and built phases well through carries from the Matty Graham and Neil Rutledge but the slow conditions hampered the Enniskillen tempo and made it difficult for space to be found - following decent defence from the visitors, a pass went to ground out wide and let Carrick off the hook.

Good footwork from Sam Balfour had Skins threatening the line again and they managed to secure a scrum on the five metre line after a pressure kick in behind the Carrick defence, but Skins were deemed held up short of the try line and failed to extend the lead. Skins spent almost the entire final quarter inside their 22’ and defending ferociously, while repelling multiple scrums against a big and seasoned Carrick pack. Somehow the defence remained resolute and the game was blown up 14-3.

It was a solid performance from Skins in difficult conditions, but sterner tests await as they travel to Clogher this Saturday in the league. Skins are surely underdogs given Clogher’s form but if they can summon the highs of recent weeks consistently for an 80 minute spell it could prove a spectacular fixture