With an unexpected win at Dromore under their belt Enniskillen had another tough task at Shaws Bridge against an unbeaten Instonians side.
Report and pictures by Richard Owens
Conditions perfect, the home got us away with an onslaught on the visitors who were twice caught napping around the breakdown. Both occasions yielded points as Instonians scrum half Matthew Keane nipped in unopposed to touch down and then convert his own tries.
14-0 down after only seven minutes seemed to galvanise the soporific Skins squad and for over twenty they had all all the possession and territory yet they could not elevate their score as they spurned easy shots at goal, tempted by their belief they could break this Instonians’ defence.
Misguided as it turned out. The home team produced a massive defensive scrum in their own 22 leading to a charge upfield from winger Zac Davidson, winning a penalty for good measure. Following the kick to touch, line-out, the maul powered over for Inst’s third try also converted.
Who touched down is unknown but with only two minutes left of the first half Inst secured the bonus point fourth try with a try from full back Jack Milliken after the play was spread wide and he squeezed home in the corner. Keane failed to maintain his 100% record and the half finished 26-0 to Inst.
The second half began in the same fashion as the first with Inst on the rampage and ten minutes in, a break from Inst outside centre Hugo Ellerby released flanker Robert Whitten who almost made the whitewash but crucially kept possession. Six phases later Ellerby finished his own move, smashing through the disrupted resistance of the Skins line. Keane converted and it was now 33-0.
Insult was added to injury when another move off the left side saw 3 offloads before the ball ended up in the hooker Conor Gallagher‘s hands, who barged over from threes yards out. Easy conversion and Inst were now 40-0 up.
In the final moments of the game there was a dispute in the Inst 22 and Mr Gallagher enjoyed an enforced 7 minute rest. Numerical advantage finally saw the Skins get a deserved try from their prop, John Clarke converted by Adam Lendrum. The physical contest was not reflected in the score line.
The difference between the teams was straightforward. Inst took their scoring opportunities and Enniskillen didn’t.
Final score Inst 40 Enniskillen 7
