’Scorthy power on in the Towns Cup
PORTLAOISE RFC 8 ENNISCORTHY RFC 20
ENNISCORTHY travelled to Portlaoise on Saturday looking to continue the positive form although missing some players.
Enniscorthy lost the toss and were playing into a strong wind in the first half.
The opening exchanges had handling errors from both sides but Enniscothy knew Portlaoise were going to be competitive. Enniscorthy had most of the territory in the first quarter and were rewarded with a try on 15 minutes when after sustained forward drives on the Portlaoise line, the ball was moved wide, and Portlaoise were caught for numbers. Centre Ronan Kervick gave the try scoring pass allowing winger Evan Jacob to dot down in the corner.
Portlaoise came straight back after the restart and after significant pressure were awarded with a penalty in front of posts. Enniscorthy gathered from the Portlaoise restart and after some great carries from Josh Kinsella, Chris O’Leary and Conor Murphy they were rewarded by a five-metre scrum in front of posts.
Half backs of Sean Kelly and Conal Kervick orchestrated a fast ball to the right wing allowing Cillian Doyle to dot down in the corner on 22 minutes.
The remainder of the first half kept Enniscorthy camped on their own line with Portlaoise using the wind advantage.
They were rewarded with a try on 27 minutes in the corner although failing to convert.
Enniscorthy came straight back up the field but failed to score before half-time.
Half-time came and Enniscorthy were 10-8 ahead and had worked hard for the slender lead against the elements.
Enniscorthy started the second half strong, and used the lessening wind to gain territory.
After five minutes, number 8 Aaron Doyle collected from a good line out and after some forward drives Enniscorthy released the backline allowing James Doyle at first centre to beat his man and score close to the corner.
At 15-8 Portlaoise kept driving at Enniscorthy, with visitors using kicking options, Portlaoise in return were collecting and showing some speed out wide made one or two great counter runs.
However Enniscorthy’s pack became more dominant at the breakdown with some great tackles by Evan O’Connor and Aaron Doyle. This resulted in territorial advantage for Enniscorthy in last quarter.
On 50 minutes Enniscorthy were rewarded when after some forward exchanges the half backs again orchestrated a move allowing outhalf Conal Kervick to dart through and score.
Portlaoise never gave up but the visitors were resolute on holding their 20-8 to the bitter end.
This allows this under-16 team a home quarter final on March 9 against the winners of Navan and Tullamore. Next outing is a crunch Leinster League home game against Naas in two weeks. SQUAD: Evan O’Connor, Conor Murphy, Wayne Sutton, Josh Kinsella, David Bolger, Gerard Kennedy, Chris O’Leary, Aaron Doyle, Ryan Collier, Shaun Leacy, Sean Kelly, Conal Kervick, Cillian Doyle, Ronan Kervick, James Doyle, Evan Jacob, Barry Hassey.