Enniskillen RFC secured the Towns Cup, in their third appearance in the Ravenhill showpiece final in recent years, with a 19 – 0 win against Ballyclare on Easter Monday afternoon.

The match starkly demonstrated the pain and the pleasure of a big match final as the pre match underdogs worked over their much fancied rivals to win this game with something to spare

Skins started the match with great intent as they looked to dominate the breakdown from the word go. Their advantage in the contact area led to an early penalty chance, which was pulled wide, before their pressure earned them a couple of 5m scrums.

After a couple of dabs at the line, one of which was held up, Gavan Warrington, and it seemed like half of Enniskillen,  such was the noise from the terrace,  finally got the ball to ground for the opening score of the game.

Ballyclare never really got going in a game where the Enniskillen pack dominated proceedings and with no further scores in the first half the teams turned round with Enniskillen still defending their five point lead

Enniskillen got their second try towards the end of the third quarter. It was no surprise that it came from their dominant scrum with Richard Lee the beneficiary this time as he drove under the posts after a couple of phases. Nick Finlay added the conversion to push Skins’ lead to 12 – 0.

With 15 minutes left there was still time for Ballyclare to respond,  but they had the look of a beaten team and Enniskillen ruthlessly drove home the advantage.

It was fitting that Warrington got the final try, as this was a great forward effort from Enniskillen, the prop driving over to seal the game with minutes left. Finlay converted to give a final score of Ballyclare 0 Enniskillen 19. 

BIG GALLERY BELOW

Photo credit – Bob Given Photography & John McMurtry