29 October 2019
With a number of their more traditional opponents not playing rugby at the same level Enniskillen Royal are having to look further afield for quality opposition. On Tuesday they welcomed one of Leinster’s top team’s, Terenure College, Dublin.
On a crisp dry afternoon with little wind there was an expectation of running rugby from these two attacking sides and they didn’t disappoint. If any of the spectators had not watched schoolboy rugby before then they could not have failed to have been impressed, it was an exhibition of fast paced, well contested rugby.
Enniskillen nerves must have been jangling for the first 5 minutes as the visitors pulled off a couple of sharp manoeuvres that were to set the tone for the rest of the game. Fortunately, the Fermanagh defence held steady while they got themselves up to speed and they were soon making inroads into Terenure’s 22m. An opposition knock-on gave ERGS a scrum 10m out from the visitors try line where Callum Smyton broke from the back, dummied the scrum-half and strolled behind the posts for the first try of the match. Enniskillen’s out-half, Eddie Keys, converted for the extra two points.
ERGS dominated the next 15 minutes with some strong forward carries and, perhaps, the best period of slick handling that their backs have produced all season. Terenure defended resolutely but when lock Neil Rutledge, combined with fellow lock, Michael Rooney and flanker, David Stinson to drive a pod from 5 metres out, a try was inevitable. Keys converted and ERGS extended their lead to 14 points.
ERGS’s play was impressive but they had two clear failings. They were not efficient in clearing out rucks, which either led to turnovers or penalties, and they were far too sluggish when reacting to those penalties. Terenure capitalised on both failings to bring up their first score shortly before halftime.
When the referee awarded Terenure a penalty 20 metres out, in the centre of the pitch, their lock took a quick tap and was able to run straight through a disorganised ERGS defence with hardly a hand being laid upon him. The visitors converted and the score stood at 14 to 7. The same ERGS’s problems contributed to Terenure’s second try. The second half was not a minute old when ERGS were penalised for holding on in a ruck. They failed to retreat the full 10 metres and then gave away another penalty in a subsequent ruck. Once again, they did not react as quickly as Terenure who tapped and ran and, once again, the ERGS defence failed compose itself sufficiently to prevent a second try. Fortunately, the conversion was missed and ERGS hung on to a two point lead.
Despite giving away more penalties at the breakdown ERGS dominated the next period and the game was played mostly in Terenure’s half. Eventually, the pressure told. ERGS captain, Robbie Mills broke through a couple of tackles in the midfield and offloaded to Matthew Wilson who gained another 15 metres before setting up a ruck. Scrumhalf, Matthew Bothwell quickly spun the ball to right wing, Sam Balfour. Balfour put a neat grubber kick through Terenure’s defence where Smyton picked it up and ran over. Replacement out-half, George Foster, converted to give ERGS a 7 point cushion.
A Terenure player was yellow carded shortly afterward which should have allowed ERGS to see out the last 4 minutes of the game. However, Terenure kept playing and, from deep in their own half, they kept possession through 10 phases to work their way up the pitch where they eventually outflanked a tiring ERGS defence to add 7 points to their tally and a final score line of ERGS 21, Terenure College 19.
Leaving aside the shortcomings around the breakdown ERGS were impressive. The half-back pairing of Bothwell and Keys kept control of the game, distributing intelligently and efficiently. Bothwell’s sniping runs kept the Terenure back row honest. Smyton had a great game, as ever, and he was well supported by a lively and industrious pack who dominated both scrums and line outs.
The passing, by both forwards and backs, was quick and accurate and, when compared to earlier games in the season, shows a marked improvement that probably comes from hours of practice but also, from a growing confidence.
ERGS Try scorers:- Callm Smyton (2), Neil Rutledge
Conversions:- Eddie Keys (2), George Foster.
