1st XV
Matches
Sat 22 Jan 2022
Enniskillen RFC
1st XV
22
54
Instonians
Skins suffer home defeat to Inst

Skins suffer home defeat to Inst

Ryan Cathcart25 Jan 2022 - 07:19
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4-try bonus consolation score

Enniskillen 1st XV suffered defeat to league leaders Instonians at Mullaghmeen last weekend in a high scoring affair where Skins managed to battle for the 4-try bonus point, a hard fought consolation against a strong Inst side who are unbeaten in the league.
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 good phase 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, 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 the supremely 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 to hosting Portadown in their first game of the campaign on 12th February, announced last week.

Match details

Match date

Sat 22 Jan 2022

Kickoff

14:30
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