On dry, well cut pitches the Enniskillen Royal Under 14s took to the Eisenhower playing fields to face Rainey Grammar School. Like Enniskillen Royal the Rainey team had only let one try in this season and were undefeated. The anticipation of a good match was present amongst the coaches and spectators alike.
Rainey got the match under way with a good kick that was collected by the Enniskillen forwards. Matthew Graham, Matthew Beatty and Henry keys worked hard to maintain possession in the rucks whilst Justin White and Ryan Phair carried the ball well into contact. After two good forward drives the ball was distributed quickly down the Enniskillen back line but was unfortunately released forward in the tackle.
Henry Hutchinson and the forwards showed their strength in the first scrum and Eddie Keys at scrum half set the back line running once again. Matthew Bothwell passed to outside centre Taine Haire while inside centre Stephen Balfour looped round to receive the ball in a move that pulled their opposite numbers out of position. Stephen Balfour took the pass and ran in past a scrambling defence to score under the posts. Eddie Keys converted to make it 7-0.
Rainey switched their kicking Callum Smyton claimed the restart and it looked as if Enniskillen would break the Rainey defence but a handling error gave Rainey a scrum. Rainey kicked well from the scrum and this time it was the Enniskillen defence that found itself out of position. Sam Balfour got back from his wing to secure the ball but Enniskillen knocked on under the increasing Rainey pressure. Scrum down on the Enniskillen twenty two. Rainey won it but Number Eight Justin White released early and got a hit on the Rainey ball carrier. Callum Smyton was close enough in support to intercept the attempted Rainey off load and then proceeded to run the length of the pitch for the second score. Matthew Bothwell converted for 14-0.
Stephen Balfour got his second soon after the restart and Sam Balfour got on the score sheet after quick thinking at a penalty by Eddie Keys. Sam had to pick the ball up of the floor but had enough pace to evade the dispersed Rainey defence. Henry Keys and Taine Haire worked hard to gain ground in the final minutes of the half and Sam Balfour was on hand to pick up his second.
The Enniskillen coaches must have talked the talk at half time because there was no drop in the power of the U14s game in the second half. Henry Keys reclaimed his team’s kick at the restart and evasive running by Taine Haire with Callum Smyton in support got the ball out to Sam Milligan who drew players and released Sam Balfour for the first score in the second half. Adam Sanderson, Zak Havers and Aaron Haire came on to relieve key positions and all worked hard to maintain the Enniskillen dominance. Matthew Bothwell and Eddie Keys both continued to convert trys from distance and the game finished Enniskillen Royal 59 – Rainey 0. Congratulations to both the U13s and Medallions who this week joined the U14s in maintaining a clean sheet.
