CRASH BALL…Jamie Johnston takes the ball into contact against Carrickfergus
Enniskillen 8
Carrick 6
Following a poor display against Limavady it was important for the Skins to improve in the opening league game against Carrickfergus.
Again Skins started slowly and it was Carrick early on the attack. After five minutes the visitors missed a penalty awarded after a scrum offence.Back came Carrick and put together a series of passing moves which the home side defended well.Skins then had the ball but were penalised for going off their feet. The Carrick kicker however missed again.
Skins then won a penalty and following good work by Robbie Murray , they got possession in the visitors half. Play ebbed back and forward but eventually Carrick were penalised for holding on and Skins took the lead through a Charlton penalty. Skins attacked again with a good run by Fox but this was spoiled when a pass was knocked forward.
Carrick dominated the last five minutes of the half despite losing a man. They kicked to the corner and attacked the home line.It didn’t help that Enniskillen lost a lineout and just on the stroke of half-time Carrick equalised with a penalty which resulted in a yellow card being shown to a Skins player.
Skins started the second half in a more positive fashion and had the chance to take the lead with a penalty. This was unsuccessful and following a good kick ahead by Carrick they produced a spell of attacking play which could have brought a try. Carrick did take the lead shortly after however when Skins were penalised for coming in the side.
From the restart Enniskillen won the ball and had a series of drives with the front row and Johnston doing well. The problem was that most of the good rugby was being played in the wrong area of the field so rarely threatened the Carrick line.
On 60 minutes Charlton was unlucky when a long –range penalty hit the post. Carrick’s kicking was superior and this got them back to the home end of the field and again they looked dangerous.
On 70 minutes the Carrick centre was nearly through but good defence saved the day. With time running out Skins worked their way down to the Carrick half. They won two penalties but declined to kick for goal. With O’Callaghan now at outhalf and the referee about to blow the final whistle the home side somehow worked a passing move which resulted in O’Callaghan doing very well to score the winning try in the corner.
Full credit to the home side for keeping going to the end but Carrick will feel hard done by as they had the majority of the play. As they prepare to face Ballyclare it is important that Skins develop their tactical kicking game and play in the right areas of the field.