A tussle for the ball after Richie Grey wins the line out for Enniskillen
Enniskillen came through their first round clash with Randalstown with a 32-8 victory and have been on a steadily improving trendline all season. They come into this game with the fillip of a 36-7 win over UUC.
Meanwhile their opponents, Ards 2nd XV sat out the first round with a bye. Things haven’t exactly been going swimmingly for them in the 2XV league. They are propping up the division on -3 points and their last result was a 55-5 hammering at the hands of Queen’s II last weekend.
Enniskillen coach Norman Richmond acknowledges the Skins are favourites for the tie on home turf, but he isn’t counting his chickens just yet.
“Yes, we would fancy ourselves to go through, but we have to remain focused. Anyone who would put them down as a handy touch could be in deep trouble,” said Richmond.
In that respect, last weekend’s clash with the students of Coleraine provided a timely and salutary lesson.
“The weekend before Omagh beat UUC 64-3,” said Richmond. “The [Enniskillen] players had the mindset that this was just a case of turning up and playing the game. Then to go 7-0 down in the first 25 seconds put the cat among the pigeons.
“It took them 40 minutes to regain their composure and start getting through the phases of play, but it shows that air of complacency can cost teams. No team can take to any park with complacency. We need an honest performance from the 80 minutes.”
Meanwhile, a few key injuries see Enniskillen slightly shy of full strength for this second round Towns Cup clash.
“This weekend we are going to be missing Ashley Finlay who sustained a fracture to his thumb. He’s going to see the doctor again next week, but you’re probably talking three to five weeks,” said Richmond.
“Jack Harte sustained a calf strain which means he could potentially be missing this weekend. We need an honest player like Jack Harte in there because his work ethic leaves nothing to be questioned.
“We’re hoping that Kaine Holden will come through an fitness test this week to make him available, he was out with a knee injury.
“James Ferguson tore his hamstring last Thursday night so he’s out for the next six to eight weeks.”