Enniskillen coach eyes up cups as league concludes

Enniskillen 1st XV finished their league campaign last Saturday with a victory over visiting Limavady. The fixture had extra incentive for both sides, serving as a double header given the two sides were drawn together in the group stages of the Junior Cup in later weeks.

The result sees Skins finish seventh in the league and coach Stevie Welsh says it was good to finish the campaign with a win and also get points on the board in the Junior Cup.

“It was a stop start sort of a game and there was no real flow to it from both sides so to come away with the bonus point was pleasing.

“The performance wasn’t perfect but itis good to finish off the league with a win and to have five points on the board from the first game in the group stage of the Junior Cup,” he said.

Their focus now though turns to the Towns’ Cup and a home quarter final tie against Portadown this Saturday.

“The Towns’ Cup down through the years has always been my favourites and meant more to me and I would say most of the boys would say the same,” said Welsh.

“To get a home tie in the quarter final, you can’t ask for much better than that. It is obviously going to be a tough game as they have won their league and are in form and it is always tough against them but we know them well.”

And Welsh believes that the players are keen to push on now in the cup competitions.

“I said to the boys on Saturday that at the moment we have three games but we could have seven games if we want it.

“The boys were very disappointed after the cup final and they wanted more and we now have two cups to play for.

“Hopefully we can get through Saturday and see where we are.”

On Saturday, Skins started well, receiving the kickoff and gaining ground through Jack Rutledge and James Carleton before George Foster sent a kick way downfield to put the visitors under some pressure.

Errors made it difficult for Skins to convert the pressure despite good dominance at the scrum, earning an early free kick through front row Warrington, Keenan and Graham.

Play remained frustrating for Enniskillen, however and they got nothing from the first quarter despite plenty of good territory.

Limavady eventually fought their way out and had a venture into Skins’ 22’ but were quickly ousted with some good Skins defence.

Eventually the visitors started leaking penalties and Skins made their way back into the Limavady half and set up a series of play just outside the five metre line. After a number of rest scrums and carries from the Skins pack, Niall Keenan crossed to break the deadlock, 5-0 to Skins.

Foster continued to kick well to relieve pressure off the restart and Daire Hill made a late break that could have yielded points but the pass just didn’t go to hand, ending the half at 5-0.

Skins were lively after half time and the forwards linked well with the backs now, finding gaps and making good yards through the fresh legs of Buchanan and Beatty off the bench.

Off a scrum on the five metre line Rooney’s usual evasive pick from the base couldn’t be stopped and he touched down for Skins’ second score, converted by Hill to lead 12-0.

Some miscommunication in the backs had Skins pinned in their 22’ from the restart but the defence was up to the task and Limavady couldn’t gain any ground.

The backs got to stretch their legs now and James Balfour broke through in midfield to bring play to the 22’; Dane was on hand to quickly shift the ball to Beatty who delivered a nice pass inside to Sam Balfour who wrong footed defenders to slip through and score, 17-0 to Skins.

Limavady to their credit moved the ball well and made good inroads from the restart, gaining a penalty to set them up on the five metre line, eventually picking through the ruck to score and keep themselves in touch, 17-5.

Skins were determined to avenge their error and Neil Rutledge reclaimed the restart, gaining 10 yards before being dragged down, Dane sent a pass to Jack Rutledge who shifted it deftly to Daire Hill who spotted a gap through a pair of soft shoulders to score the bonus point try, 22-5.

A final score to Limavady came before full-time as one of the visiting forwards exploited a gap at the edge of the ruck and ran 40 metres for a deserved score and a regrettable lapse in Skins’ defence, full time at 22-12.

It’s been a tough stint for Skins having had five games now in two weeks and the fatigue may have shown at times in their last couple of games, but the ability and determination seen the job done on the day.

New subscription deal - Start your subscription in our end of winter sale. Enjoy your first month for just £1. Or try our best value deal of one year for £41.60. CLICK HERE FOR MORE.