Towns Cup Semi Final City of Derry – 13 Enniskillen – 10
for the points scorers tally CLICK HERE
To the great disappointment of the large travelling contingent of Enniskillen support ‘Skins went down 13 – 10
in their Towns Cup semi-final at City of Derry last Saturday. Cup semi-finals are games to be won in
whatever manner achievable and it seemed that the hosts had a better idea of how to do this.
Despite playing into the wind in the first half, City of Derry spent most of the time in Enniskillen territory and
got the boost of an early penalty from their outhalf.
Despite having good set pieces, ‘Skins had trouble generating quick possession going forward ball as the
hosts side flooded the breakdown areas, with their openside flanker particularly prominent.
‘Skins suffered an early setback with the loss through injury of winger Ally Duncan but hard though outhalf
Nigel Johnston tried, the line speed of the home defence prevented quick ball going wide, and it was the
hosts who went further ahead with a converted try, leaving ‘Skins with a lot to do to get back into the match.
A lot of credit must be paid to the City of Derry discipline as they did not give ‘Skins a shot at goal in the
whole first half.
At the start of the second half a great run by Gavin Parke almost brought a score and given what followed
who knows what might have been. Unfortunately for the visitors It was City of Derry who got the next score,
a penalty increasing their lead to 13 – 0.
‘Skins stuck to their task and dominated possession in the final quarter of the game with the forwards
working hard and driving forward with every possession, leading to a penalty from John Maguire to eat into
the lead.
Despite all their efforts ‘Skins couldn’t make the crucial breakthrough as the home side’s defence was equal
to everything they threw at them. Allied to this an increasing error rate from ‘Skins meant that they
repeatedly came up short.
‘Skins did have the last say in the game when a great 40-metre dash from the impressive Parke ended with a
converted try, which proved to be the last act.
City of Derry ran out probably as deserved winners as their gameplan proved to be the difference, but credit
to the ‘Skins players who to a man never gave up.
It is frustrating for ‘Skins to have lost their third cup semi-final in twelve months, but the team learned a hard
lesson and hopefully this young team can use this experience to build for the future
