1st XV
Matches
Sat 14 Sep 2019
Donaghadee
5
33
Enniskillen RFC
1st XV
Skins Proceed through Junior Cup

Skins Proceed through Junior Cup

Ryan Cathcart18 Sep 2019 - 16:31
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Skins dominate away to Donaghadee to head to the following round of the Junior Cup.

Donaghadee 1st XV 5
Enniskillen 1st XV 33

Skins 1st XV made the long trip to Donaghadee last Saturday for the first round of the Junior Cup. As a side from a higher league Enniskillen were probably favourites going into the contest but after a tough start to the league and suffering a couple of key injuries, Skins needed a big performance to overcome the home side at a tough venue.
Enniskillen started well and made good ground through the pack, Dee showing solid defence but the pick and go’s from Enniskillen proving effective through Buchanan and Kelly. Good defensive pressure from the home side forced some poor handling errors from Skins on occasion and kept the ball out of the hands of the Skins backline who looked severely threatening when in possession.
Dee remained under pressure in their own half for an extended period, however, and began to give away penalties as a result. After a missed kick at goal Skins then opted for the corner and set up a series of pick and go’s after the maul broke down which ended when captain Gareth Beatty crossed the line, converted by John Maguire.
Enniskillen continued to look the more dominant but continued tenacity from the home side kept them from converting pressure and territory into points. Donaghadee had a couple of forays into the Skins half too but a determined defensive effort kept the home side out. Skins’ scrum was now in the ascendency after some early blips while the lineout functioned well through Carleton and Kennedy; the rolling maul proving a handful for Donaghadee as they struggled to slow it’s progress with legal measures and eventually a yellow card came the way of the home side. Shortly afterwards another try came in much the same manner as the first as another maul from 10 metres out broke down into pick and go’s with the other Skins prop Warrington taking the score, unconverted to leave Skins 0-12 up at halftime.
The second half continued with a dominant forward performance from Enniskillen despite a slightly frantic game that wasn’t always conducive to structured play. Thankfully the Skins back line were also ready to show their worth as Maguire ran the game well at 10 and back three of Parke, Magwood and O’Shea dealt with every kicking threat and returned them with interest. As the second half began Dane found Alex Parke on the blindside on the half way line who showed incredible pace and footwork to score in the corner.
Dee continued to defend very well to their credit. Disrupting Enniskillen possession while they spent a lot of time camped in the Dee half. An injury to Matthew Dane for an arguably early tackle that missed the referee’s attentions had Parke move to scrum-half. Only minutes later after continued pressure on the Donaghadee 5 metre line, Parke chipped over the top and looked sure to touch down only to be taken out, earning only a penalty try instead of his second score.
The game became quite fractured now with some handbags breaking out at various times and the referee’s frustration showing as he continued to march Skins back. Donaghadee enjoyed their possession and Skins had to work hard in defence, the hardy centre pairing of Himi Manuel and Jack Harte punishing would be attackers. Eventually after continued penalties against Skins the home side got their consolation try in the dying minutes after a big run from their prop that left Carleton dazed, quick hands to the winger brought an unconverted try.
It was Skins who had the last say, however, as a loose ball following a big hit from Manuel found Alex Parke on the half way yet again sprinting down the wing somehow just inside the touchline as he evaded the Dee tacklers and stepped the fullback to score and end the contest 5-33.
It was a good performance from Skins who still have a lot to build on but showed plenty of grit up against a gutsy home side. They now head away to Ballynahinch 2nd XV this Saturday before returning to the league the following weekend at home to Grosvenor.

Match details

Match date

Sat 14 Sep 2019

Kickoff

14:30
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