ERGS Medallions 39 Foyle College 7

Enniskillen Royal Grammar started this return fixture against Foyle brightly and early pressure led to prop Josiah Johnston scoring near the posts after damage had been done by fellow prop Aaron Crawford. George Foster added the conversion and ERGS continued to dominate play for most of the first half with Albert Gauley making several strong runs, two of which ended in tries. On other occasions, some attacks failed to make use of available support players and eventually broke down; greater readiness to offload will be called for in future matches. Towards the end of the half, Foyle began to threaten more with better ball retention bringing play close to the ERGS try line. Lack of concentration after a Foyle penalty was awarded left ERGS players further penalised for not retreating and Foyle pressed home their momentum with a converted try. With scores, however, from second row Neil Rutledge and flanker Michael Rooney, the teams went into the break with the score at 27-7.
Soon after the start of the second half, hooker Kyle Davis, who had made some important tackles and ball carries, sustained a serious injury requiring hospital treatment. An abridged second half resumed with ERGS working the ball well to the wing in several attacks and two further tries brought the final score to 39-7.
Speed of getting to the breakdown and decision-making with offloads remain areas to work on, but a number of good performances across the team can be built on looking to next opponents Wallace.ERGS