It’s all going to plan thus far as newcomers settle in fine style
IT’S ALL pointing towards the potential for a desperately close league campaign before the eventual promotion spots are decided.
With another crucial game behind them against fellow promotion challengers, not surprisingly given their displays, Enniscorthy are sitting top of the division following three rounds.
Having disposed of competition favourites Midleton in their opening game, Enniscorthy travelled to another side with their sights on promotion, Bruff, and came home with two bonus points, one for tries scored plus one losing bonus point.
So it was another crucial outing at Alcast Park on Saturday afternoon. Meeting a Skerries side with huge experience, who were second in the table behind Bruff, and one place ahead of Enniscorthy, it was yet another searching test for the newcomers to Senior club rugby.
It would not have been part of Enniscorthy’s plan to have such an opening to life in the top flight of club rugby.
But instead of sitting back, they took on the challenges facing them and as a result they leapfrogged their two rivals to go top of the table on ten points and send out a clear message that they are not just there for the journey.
Facing such a daunting opening would have been enough to trouble any side having their first taste of Senior club rugby, but Enniscorthy have the players to lead from the front.
They also took comfort with the progress of their younger players, and it was this combination of youth and experience that has seen them enjoy an excellent start to the league.
Certainly Enniscorthy must have brought a real edge to pre-season training as they are superbly conditioned to meet the challenges of Senior rugby, and with each game they have continued to drive the standards forward.
This was particularly evident against Skerries when they came with two tries in the closing ten minutes to salvage the points.
And following an emotionally-charged finish, they sent their supporters home happy at the fact that they are now top of the table.
After the opening three games, Enniscorthy are tops with ten points, with Midleton and Bruff on nine points each.
Skerries are on eight, Clonmel, Omagh, City of Derry and Tullamore are tied on seven points apiece, while Bangor and Sunday’s Well are on five points each.
Next weekend sees a break in the AIL, with Enniscorthy resuming league activity away to Omagh on November 2. On November 9 they are home to Sunday’s Well, while they will travel to Clonmel on November 16.
Having come so far, they send coaches Kieran Hurrell and Declan O’Brien, along with manager David Wrafter, into the break in confident mood to face the challenges ahead.