1st XV
Matches
Thu 30 Dec 2021
Cooke 1XV
28
10
Enniskillen RFC
1st XV
1XV exit Junior Cup

1XV exit Junior Cup

Ryan Cathcart5 Jan 2022 - 12:13
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.enniskillenrfc.com

Away defeat at Cooke

Enniskillen 1XV exited the Junior Cup last week with a 28-10 defeat to Cooke at Shaw's Bridge Belfast. Title holders Enniskillen were keen to maintain the cup they won back in 2020 when the competition last reached a close, but the performance wasn't there on the night, exacerbated by covid enforced squad changes and constant rain. Despite some excellent individual moments, including a stellar Sam Balfour try off a Nick Finlay grubber, the lack of cohesion in the changed lineup was evident at times with a few too many unforced errors and penalties coming their way.
Skins took a well deserved lead through an Eddie Keys penalty and were showing the excellent attacking form which has been characteristic of late, particularly through the forward pack and an offload game which had Alan Ferguson breaking through the line to bring play into the 22'. The home side were feeling the pressure and penalties started to leak but the changed personnel was evident at set piece and some wayward line outs stopped them capitalising on this period of pressure.
Cooke were let off the hook now and began to build their own period of pressure. Skins demonstrated some excellent defence to keep the side out with Henry Keys, Carleton and Parke putting in some hard graft, and the home side had to settle for three points. Handling errors from the restart had Skins on the back foot yet again and soon the home side were knocking on the door yet again, eventually crossing after a draining period of Enniskillen defence.
Skins answered not long afterwards almost from nothing, the ball went to Nick Finlay at 12 only just inside the 10 metre line who sent a perfectly weighted grubber through, collected by winger Sam Balfour showing extraordinary feet to collect the ball, evade the defence and finish for a score, Eddie Keys adding the points with an excellent conversion.
The second half was to be a dismal one for Enniskillen who gave away an early penalty to let Cooke take the first points of the half. Shortly afterwards a wayward pass had Skins scrambling backwards and penalised yet again. The resulting line out had Enniskillen back on their line and leaking another try after another gruelling period of try line defence.
The game stagnated now in the wet conditions with play mostly in the middle of the pitch and neither gaining a foothold. The heavier Cooke pack were happy to let the game drag, living off Enniskillen's mistakes and penalties at the breakdown. Soon another kick at goal let them extend the lead.
Enniskillen continued to battle admirably and the pack worked tirelessly, David Buchanan and Neil Rutledge in the engine room doing their best to keep the opposition out. But Cooke's share of territory was only going to lead to one thing and another score came before the whistle.
It was a disappointing day for Enniskillen who looked the better side early on, but couldn't seem to get out of their own half or use the little possession they had effectively. On the bright side the front row of Warrington, Graham and Ferguson, with Crawford off the bench, all put in a much improved performance at the scrum from the last outing. Balfour looked electric for his score and the moments of flair in attack were still there if a bit untamed. Skins are now finally back at Mullaghmeen this Saturday as they return to the league, hosting Dromore. Kick off 2.30pm.

Match details

Match date

Thu 30 Dec 2021

Kickoff

20:00
Team overview
Further reading