Grosvenor welcomed their visitors, Enniskillen to a sunny Gibson Park. A stiff breeze dictated much of the early play and Skins started strongly and just failed to take the lead as a wayward pass resulted in a try scoring opportunity lost. Grosvenor backs looked dangerous and they exploited a perceived weakness behind the opposition's back three. From such a kick through Grosvenor nearly scored, but were brought back for an earlier penalty, which Skelton knocked over, to give Grosvenor a 3-0 lead. Skin's hit straight back and strong running from their numbers 4 and 8, let them in for an unconverted try, 3-5 to the visitors. From the immediate kick off, Grosvenor were awarded a penalty and scrum half Skelton struck the ball sweetly to restore the home lead , 6-5. From another penalty, Skins did not retreat the requisite 10 metres and they received a yellow card.
From a promising attack, Grosvenor relinquished a great opportunity by a crossing infringement. However, Skelton increased the home lead with another penalty and Skins missed a relatively easy penalty, leaving the half time score at 9-5 to Grosvenor.
The second half saw Grosvenor with a decent breeze at their backs and for once their game management and kicking skills came to the fore, pushing their opponents into their corners. Skelton missed a good chance to increase the lead when he missed a penalty After a series of infringements, Copeland was yellow carded and Grosvenor were reduced to 14 men. Skins increased the pressure and their no 14 went over for a converted try, 12-9 to Enniskillen.
Grosvenor were attacking but as in previous similar situations this season, unnecessary penalties were conceded at vital moments. However , Grosvenor came back with a try by Johnston, ably converted by Skelton, 16-12 to the home side and from a speculative dink through, Skins were unable to defend it and Breen scored a try, again converted by Skelton, 23-12. As the game entered its final stages, another kick through, saw the Skins defender deliberately knock the ball over the deadball line, thus giving the referee no option but to award a penalty try. The final whistle blew and Grosvenor recorded a victory by 30-12.
Whilst the scoreline may have flattered Grosvenor a little, the victory did not as they ran out deserved winners. This team was eventually going to put a performance like this together but now this level of effort with game management skills must be the default position for future games.
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