Enniskillen Royal Grammar School Medallions welcomed RSD to Castle Lane to participate in a training game consisting of 3 twenty minute periods. The purpose was to allow the coaching staff of both sides to look at various playing combinations ahead of their forthcoming Medallion Shield fixtures.
ERGS were slow out of the blocks and within 5 minutes they were staring at a 12 point deficit this was the product of missed tackles coupled with a loss of concentration at times. However it wasn’t long before the home side responded. Impressive line speed from the ERGS backs pressurised the RSD into spilling the ball and flanker Smyton used his footballing skills to dribble the ball over the line and with the conversion successful the deficit was reduced to 5 points.
At the break both sides made changes to their teams and once more it was RSD who made the better start, a turnover and a few missed tackles allowed the Dungannon No8 Nicholl to gallop in from 40 metres and make the score 19-7. Ergs then began to show more urgency and started to gain the upper hand through their fitter and more ‘steamline forwards’ a maul 5 metres out allowed Gauley to crash over and with conversion successful the score was now 19-14 in RSDs favour.
As the final third of the game got underway, both sides tried frantically to get a decisive score but it was ERGSs who finished the stronger. The forwards retained possession through a series of phases and the ball was released to the backline. Centre Morton finished superbly. Unfortunately the conversion was missed and the game ended in a draw; 19 points each.
Overall it was a pleasing result and the intensive training schedule over the Christmas period is paying dividends. Next up is a Medallion Shield third round away fixture against Cambridge House GS (Ballymena). It is hoped that a large number of parents and supporters will make the long trip and support the players and their coaches in what will be a tough test, however if they can build on last week’s performance who knows what will happen!
