Lacklustre Carrick lose out to Enniskillen in league clash

Carrick's Ryan McGonigle closes down this Enniskillen move.

The game was played in wet and windy conditions, making handling rugby difficult for both sides. Although they defended well, Carrick were under pressure in the scrum - probably for the first time this season - and rarely got the better of the visitors’ strong pack at the break-down.

The home side was not helped by a number of injuries, losing scrum-half Glen Picken at half-time and having to use their subs in unfamiliar positions to cover periods when other players needed treatment.

That said, Ross Crymble did an excellent job as a stand-in full-back when he came on to cover for Aaron McKinney who moved to nine, making Carrick’s only really threatening line-breaks of the match. The home side did have their moments, particularly in the second half, but could not string the phases together to create scoring chances.

Enniskillen took their chances and no one could deny they were worthy winners.

Enniskillen broke the deadlock on 22 minutes when they drove over from a tap penalty close in. The try was converted and they held a 7-0 lead until the break.

The County Fermanagh outfit increased their advantage with a well-taken drop goal six minutes into the second half.

Carrick got their only points 10 minutes later with a Johnny Sheriff penalty after the visitors’ full-back was caught in possession on his own 22 as result of a good kick-chase by Jonny Cullen.

As the weather conditions deteriorated, so did the quality of the rugby and it was probably a relief to both sets of players when the referee blew his whistle for full-time.

It’s another game that Carrick will want to put behind them and move on.

They are a much better team than they showed on Saturday.

They have a week off now before making the trip to Lisburn on November 15 for their next League match.

Carrick RFC: A. McKinney; N. Hastings, R. Hamilton, J. Cullen (Capt.), P. Simpson; J. Sheriff, G. Picken (R. Crymble); A. Gibney, N. Hanna, R. Williams, A. Kincaid, C. Rodgers, C. Rea, R. Marsden (E. Peacock), R. McGonigle.