The increasing success of rugby at Enniskillen Royal was clearly demonstrated this weekend with the first outing of a third XV, the first for a number of years. The fact that they beat their opponents, Regent House, in Ards, by 50-17 tells you something about the quality of the team. Competition for places within the senior squad has led to a significant improvement in focus and commitment at training with the resultant success on the field. The 1st and 2nd XVs also defeated their Regent opponents by considerable margins.
Curtis Coalter, at centre and scrum half, Jack O’Hare, scored early for the 3rds to lead by 14 points with only 15 minutes played. While very good carries by James Graham and excellent backline organisation by Angus Frazer kept Regent inside their own 22, Regent’s inside centre managed to make a break through the middle of the field to open their account. Although Jack O’Hare replied quickly with his second try of the day a missed tackle allowed Regent through for a second time to leave the score at half time at 21-12 in favour of the visitors.
The second half continued in the same manner with Regent pinned inside their own half but still managing to break the odd tackle. George Foster, at out-half, scored his first try of the season showing a growing confidence that will undoubtedly lead to more scores as the season progresses. Tom Morton, playing at outside centre scored his second of the season with a well worked move before Regent managed to get one back to bring the score to 33-17. Royal finished the last quarter of the game in complete control, team captain, Coalter, got a second and wing forward Tom Pendry bagged a brace with his second try involving a cheeky rip from a surprised Regent number 8.
If the team can sharpen up their tackling and combine it with an attacking flair that can notch up 50 points then we can expect to see many more positive results being posted for this young and talented team.
