Limavady GS Medallion XV 17 Enniskillen Royal GS Medallion XV 14
Enniskillen Royal made the long trip north to play Limavady GS in their penultimate game before their Medallion Shield campaign commences next week. Unfortunately ERGS came out on the wrong side of a 17-14 score line in this feisty encounter. Limavady bizarrely requested uncontested scrums which certainly didn’t help the Enniskillen school as it nullified one of their key strengths.
Enniskillen started strongly and it wasn’t long before they opened their account, Mills played a deft grubber kick in behind the Limavady defence and Malone gathered to scamper over in the corner. Mills goaled the difficult conversion. ERGS continued to dominate with Gauley carrying strongly and Carnduff, Thompson and Totten tackling anything that dared move.
Unfortunately this dominance was short lived and some poor tackling by the Enniskillen backs allowed the Limavady centre Hargin break from 40 metres for a well taken try and level the scores. A high tackle and the resultant penalty allowed Limavady to extend their lead to 10 points to seven, which they carried into half time.
Limavady started the second half strongly and with ERGS unforced error count ever increasing, the home side capitalised when their blindside flanker crashed over from close range to give them a 17 points to 7 lead. Enniskillen responded immediately when Mills counterattacked from deep but unfortunately the offload was knocked on much to the relief of the opposition.
With minutes remaining ERGS showed immense character and took a lineout 30m out. They mauled to within metres of the Limavady line, the ball was recycled quickly and moved to centre Morton who cut a great line through the Limavady defence for a well taken try. The conversion was goaled and the whistle sounded for full time with a final score line of 17 – 14 in Limavady’s favour.
Next up is Rainey Endowed in the second round of the Medallion Shield and with Ulster School’s players Josh Kennedy and Conor Keys joining Mr Bellinger and Dr Wilson’s on the coaching team, this is a challenge they will surely relish.
