Skins 3rd XV Continue league form with home win over Lurgan

Minor League Premiere

Enniskillen 3rd XV 33 Lurgan 2nd XV 20

Enniskillen’s 3rd team welcomed the previously unbeaten Lurgan side to Mullaghmeen on Saturday looking to extend their lead at the top of the league table. Having not played their opponents in a number of years, Skins knew they had to implement their game plan from the start in order to have any chance of winning the match.

The game kicked off in blustery conditions, but aside from that it was a good afternoon. From the first whistle the Enniskillen forwards were absolutely outstanding, working as a unit the visitors had no answer to Skins physicality, aggression and collectiveness. With this platform half backs Henshall and McVitty were able to control territory and keep Skins playing in the right areas.

Skins were putting their bodies on the line at will, destructive runs from Phillips, McCullagh and Duncan battered the visiting defence, bringing Skins closer to the opponents try line. After much pressure Wilkinson bundled his way over the try line to score his first try of the day. The Conversation was missed but after this Skins let their concentration slip and Lurgan came back into the game strongly. After a skins infringement 30 metres from goal the visitors got on the scoreboard with a penalty kick, and shortly after a loose kick to midfield gave the Lurgan full back a chance to unleash his pace to cut through the home defence to give the visitors the lead with a converted try.

This was the wake up call Skins needed. To a man, every player wearing the maroon jersey upped their game and once again the Enniskillen forwards were bullying the visitors. Prolonged pressure seen Breen and Fitzpatrick both go close to scoring but Skins finally got their reward 10 minutes from half time. A Skins scrum 25 metres from the visitors line seen Duncan pick at the base of the scrum before a clever offload to back row partner Allan, who at pace took the ball and cantered over the line to bring the scores level, McVitty converted to give Skins the lead. The visitors were struggling to get any fluency, Harry Dane and Frankie Fee disrupted their line out balls all day meaning skins stayed in the ascendancy. Any time Lurgan did look dangerous though was through their backline. Good covering tackles from Balfour, Maguire, Kelly and Fergus Fee generally kept Skins line in tact.

Skins started the second period with their forward pack again in control. 5 minutes into the second half 9th forward Wilkinson got his second try after some excellent ball retention and a series of pick and goes. Converted by McVitty this left Skins 19-10 in the lead. But the visitors came back again. Their speedy backline again cut skins to shreds and a converted try left it a 2 point game again, 19-17 to the home side.

Skins kept going back to basics and using their dominant pack kept playing a hard and tight game in the Lurgan half. Strong carries from Andy Dane, Phillips, Duncan and McCullagh seen skins on the Lurgan twenty two. When the recycled ball found McVitty a beautiful dummy pass inside pop to a charging Fitzpatrick seen the young hooker score under the posts to give Skins their try bonus point. Converted by McVitty this gave Skins a 9 point lead. But again Lurgan came back. An infringement 35 metres from goal seen the Lurgan kicker bring the scores to 26-20 assisted by the crossbar.

With a score in the game Skins knew what they had to do, and again the home forwards again upped the ante and asked questions of the visitors. More hard yards from all forwards seen play edge closer to the Lurgan try line. Finally Skins put the game to bed, with Wilkinson getting his Hattrick try after a fine drive from half a yard. Again converted by McVitty leaving the scores 33-20, and effectively bringing the contest to a close.

This was a fantastic performance from the Skins squad today, but especially the pack as a unit deserve huge credit. Team manager Whittaker commented ‘I thought the all boys were all outstanding today, but our pack were unplayable. Having never played as a forward myself I’m not really sure what they were doing, but they were making ground and looking the part most of the game’.

Next up for Skins is another home game next Saturday when Larne are the visitors.