Lett’s fine kick the difference
Enniscorthy had to work hard
ENNISCORTHY 25 DLSP 22
ENNISCORTHY HAD to work hard for this Leinster League Division 1A victory on Saturday.
A fine penalty kick out wide by centre Killian Lett, with only a few minutes remaining, was the difference between the teams at the finish.
This was a game of two halves with a hugely entertaining first period with a total of six tries (three apiece). The rain came after the interval and with tighter defences the only scores were from penalty kicks.
The game started at a hectic pace. The hosts were penalised for not releasing and the De La Salle left winger scored in the corner after a quick penalty.
Two minutes later Enniscorthy attacked down the right flank, and when right wing Ivan Jacob got the ball he sprinted 15 metres to touch down. Ivan Poole’s conversion put them in the lead, but not for long as the visitors’ full-back caught a loose kick in the centre of the field.
He literally waltzed through a slack Enniscorthy defence and off-loaded to a team-mate who scored under the posts.
The conversion left the score 12-7 to the visitors with less than ten minutes gone.
Midway through the half Enniscorthy scored a wonderful try. After quick ruck ball, centre Killian Lett made good ground down the left.
He transferred the ball to fullback Ross Barbour who found left wing Hughie O’Neill. His speed took him to the five-metre line and, when tackled, he off-loaded to Ivan Jacob who scored his second try.
The visitors were not finished however, and with lock Tomás Stamp in the bin they scored their third try out wide. The hosts responded quickly. Ivan Jacob touched down again, only for the try to be disallowed for an alleged crossing offence.
Soon after the home side attacked again through the backs, and when Barbour received the ball he charged over from ten metres. Poole’s conversion levelled matters to leave the score 19-19 at the interval.
With the rain now coming down, the second-half was more of a forwards’ struggle. In fairness, Enniscorthy dominated most of this half yet failed to breach a strong visitors’ defence.
Indeed, on one of De La Salle’s rare visits into the home side’s half, prop Angelo Todisco was penalised for going off his feet and a further ten yards was awarded for dissent. The Dublin out-half duly kicked the penalty to put them in the lead.
The home side never panicked and stuck to the gameplan. De La Salle were now looking ragged and under constant pressure.
The ever-reliable Poole kicked a penalty from 35 metres to level matters. With the clock on 80 minutes, Lett kicked a fine penalty from 30 metres out on the left for the victory.
Enniscorthy had strong performances in the backs from Hughie O’Neill, Killian Lett and Ivan Jacob. In the pack both Tom Ryan and Paddy Waters stood out, but the man of the match award went to young Nick Doyle who had a wonderful game at the base of the scrum.
He was only called into the team the previous day with the withdrawal of Joe Carley through injury.
Enniscorthy now play Gorey away next Saturday, October 22, at 3 p.m.
Team: Angelo Todisco, David Murphy, Tony White, John Daly, Tomás Stamp, Joe Bulmer, Tom Ryan, Nick Doyle, David Shore, Ivan Poole, Hugh O’Neill, Daniel Pim (capt.), Killian Lett, Ivan Jacob, Ross Barbour. Subs. - Arthur Dunne for Shore (HT), Paddy Waters for White (HT), Dave O’ Dwyer for Jacob, inj., and Poole, 75), Cathal Mernagh for Daly (70), James Doyle.