06th October 2007

Saturday saw Armagh entertain Enniskillen at The Palace Grounds. The conditions were perfect for open, running rugby. The pitch was in perfect condition, the weather was unusually warm and there was not even a breath of wind.

Armagh were always looking at this fixture from the position that Enniskillen were the only team to inflict a defeat on them last season. Since then Enniskillen have lost several players from key positions to Dungannon & Banbridge. This situation has required the club to fill these positions with young recruits. It must be said that the inexperience of these players is obviously costing Enniskillen dearly.

The home team were determined not to see the repeat of last year’s errors. Indeed the body language of the Armagh team was evident even as they went through their warming-up cycle. That is to say the visitors only decided to warm up less than 30 minutes before the kick-off.

The game started with Armagh launching an attack straight from the whistle but a penalty at the visitor’s posts for talking back at the referee wasted good position.

The Armagh front row were penalised for ‘boring’ in a scrum near the Enniskillen posts. The resultant kick went to touch at the half way line. Armagh regained possession from the line-out and sent lock forward, Brian Bassett, off on a run down the centre.

He demonstrated good off-loading and the attack was only stopped 20 metres in front of the Enniskillen posts. From the resultant ruck the ball was fed out to the right wing where Stewart Lester almost scored.

Five minutes later saw Armagh’s front row penalised again.

After another ten minutes James Morton broke from a line-out straight through the defending half-backs and scored a fine try 15 metres in from the touch line. Johnny Steenson converted to bring the score to 07-0.

Straight from the re-start scrum-half, Andy Winder, made a break down the centre. He then chipped the ball over the centre’s head but the defending full-back marked the ball to save an almost certain try. It was winger, Stewart Lester’s, turn now to put in a 35 metre run down the right wing and only for the efforts of his opposite number in getting a hand under the touch-down the score would have stood.

However, the resulting 5 metre scrum saw the heavier Armagh pack dominate, this enabled scrum-half Andy Winder to pick up and dive in for try number two. Johnny Steenson converted to bring the score to 14-0. The Armagh pack were now beginning to tighten the grip in the rucks. Three turn-overs in a period of five minutes underlined this.

Brian Bassett was penalised for ‘taking out’ a player without the ball in front of the Enniskillen posts. By this stage Armagh were launching attacks from almost every position. The off-loading and passing, especially by the forwards, has improved in recent games.

At 35 minutes Peter Elliot attempted to follow through on a kick but was penalised when he attempted to get round an Enniskillen defender. Armagh ended the first half with a series of scrums on the Enniskillen line. A penalty was awarded to the home side when Enniskillen were judged to have pulled down a scrum. Much to the agony of Enniskillen, Armagh chose the option of setting another scrum. From this James Morton scored a fine try.

Johnny Steenson converted to end the half at 21-0. Following this cycle of intense scrummaging the visiting pack were literally on their knees. Indeed, the number 1 prop had to leave the field not to return!

In fact, it was quite unheard of that a referee would call water breaks in a game in October.

Both teams were showing signs of heat exhaustion due to both the weather being so warm and the forward pressure being so intense!

Ten minutes into the second half saw Conor O’Neill substituted off. Brian Bassett took over as loose head prop with Phil Hill coming on as second row.

A five metre scrum on the Enniskillen line resulted in a handling error in the Armagh backs. Enniskillen quickly took advantage and their centre ran the length of the field to score at the Armagh posts. This was converted to make the score 21-07.

The pressure was immediately re-applied from the kick-off when Phil Hill scored a beautiful try in the corner. Unusually Steenson missed the conversion leaving the score at 26-07.

James Johnston was substituted at hooker by Stephen Morton who scored almost immediately. Again the conversion went wide to bring the score to 31-07.

Armagh prop Conor O’Neill made a fine break up the left wing from the 22 metre line. Only for letting a stud on to the touch line this would have been a sensational try.

The substitute hooker, Morton, scored another fine try under the posts. This was converted to bring the final score to 38-07.

The crucial bonus point was secured putting Armagh on to the top league position. Next week’s fixture against Coleraine will have to be looked at with a different mind-set. League points are never easily secured at Lodge Road and the Coleraine pack are rumoured as being a sound unit. A good crowd of supporters is therefore necessary for this crucial fixture.