Enniskillen Royal Grammar School took to the pitch in warm conditions under blue skies in their new kit of blue and navy stripes. This left them less distinguishable from their Regent House opponents in red and black, and the two teams were similarly difficult to distinguish on the scoreboard with ERGS taking a narrow 0 – 5 lead into half-time. This reflected the sound tackling and consistent line speed in defence from ERGS as well as neat hands along the backs in attack. Less tackling would have been called for had ERGS retained possession going into rucks, a theme that would continue to their undoing in the second half.
Throughout the match, ERGS dominated the scrum, putting Regent under pressure on their own scrum and providing a platform when In attack. The lineout, however, was a less fruitful area of play and possession was too easily conceded to the opposition. The scoreboard continued to fluctuate throughout the second half with a late try for prop Aaron Crawford bringing it to 14 – 15 in ERGS’s favour. A last minute reply, however, from Regent left the final result at 19 – 15.
Many positives can be taken from the match and with improved ball presentation at rucks, and speed of support players at these, ERGS will eliminate turnovers that cost territory and points in this game.
