Enniscorthy claim victory in real thriller

ASHBOURNE ENNISCORTHY 32 40 ENNISCORTHY CAME out on top in a thrilling Leinster League Division 1A tie on Saturday against Ashbourne in Co. Meath.

Enniscorthy started the stronger with a try inside the first ten minutes from Ivan Poole, but from then on the first-half was all Ashbourne. Errors from Enniscorthy allowed Ashbourne get a foothold in the game and the home side were soon level.

Strong carries from the Ashbourne forwards and some slack defence allowed the home side in for another try, and Enniscorthy had a lot of questions to answer at the half-hour mark.

Things seemed to go from bad to worse for the visitors as just before half-time Ashbourne were gifted another try when a missed catch by Enniscorthy bounced straight into an oncoming winger’s hand. He had a simple run in to make it 19-10 at the break.

In the first-half everything seemed to go in Ashbourne’s favour. Enniscorthy had a lot of questions to answer in the second-half if they were going to back up their bonus point win against Dundalk the previous week.

The second-half started well with Enniscorthy hunting in packs and cutting Ashbounre’s attacks off early. The forwards really upped the pace and the visitors clawed their way back into it with fast attacking rugby.

Killian Lett came into his own with some excellent runs and solid defence. The centre scored a wonderful try after ten minutes of the second-half.

The Enniscorthy pack was now dominant in both scrums and lineouts.The real turning point came midway through the second-half.

With Thomas Stamp in the sin-bin a seven-man Enniscorthy scrum drove Ashbourne over the line and the resulting penalty try was converted by Poole.

Enniscorthy drove on but indiscipline led to penalties and kept Ashbourne in the game. Ivan Poole scored Enniscorthy’s fourth try to secure the bonus point victory with some time on the clock.

Ashbourne finished with a try in the last play to secure their four-try bonus point but ultimately losing for the second week in a row.

Joe Carley, playing his first league game for the club, had a fine outing particularly in the second-half. Half-backs David Shore and Ivan Poole had good games and kept the ball moving away from the heavier home pack.

Next Saturday they are on the road again away to Kilkenny at 2.30 p.m.