ENNISCORTHY RFC had two teams in South-East Plate final action over the weekend, with the Under-15 and Under-13 boys securing victories.

The Under-15s travelled to Tullow on Saturday morning to face a strong Carlow side. Despite the frosty conditions, Tullow’s excellent astro pitch provided a great surface for the fast running rugby that was to follow.

The first ten minutes were a bit of a stalemate, with both sides having plenty of possession but neither team able to make any real headway in the face of the excellent defence on display from both sets of players.

Enniscorthy eventually broke the deadlock after a period of sustained pressure, with full-back Cillian Higgins scoring in the right corner.

Enniscorthy grew more and more into the game and within a few minutes they had doubled their lead following a bull-dozing run from their all-action number 8 Paddy Dempsey, leaving the score at 10-0 after 15 minutes.

Carlow then enjoyed a period of possession, but some excellent tackling from the Cloughbawn trio of Andrew Kennedy, Johnny Foley and Brian Kennedy made sure that very little headway was made and the Enniscorthy line wasn’t breached.

Shortly afterwards, Bobby Murray, who has shown great promise since joining the Enniscorthy side earlier this season, made a super break through the middle and the ever-present flanker, Matt Butler, was on hand to take the final pass and hand off the last defender to score in the left corner.

Murray was again the provider, fielding the subsequent kick-off and feeding his out-half, Jamie Downey, who weaved his way through the Carlow defence to score under the posts. Downey then converted his own try, leaving Enniscorthy leading by 22-0 at half-time.

Carlow could consider themselves slightly hard done by as the interval score didn’t really reflect the competitiveness of the game to that point.

Enniscorthy made a number of personnel changes at half-time but the intensity never dropped, with out-half Jamie Downey picking up where he left off by scoring the first points of the second-half from another great break through the middle and dive over the try line just to the right of the posts.

Enniscorthy scrum-half P.J. Breen, who linked up superbly with Downey throughout the game, knocked over the subsequent conversion.

Enniscorthy were now in full flow and the Carlow team were finding it increasingly difficult to handle their multiple attacking threats.

Another move saw Cillian Higgins use his pace as he received the ball inside his own half, rounded the final defender and went untouched to score under the posts. This was followed by another Downey conversion.

Enniscorthy weren’t yet finished scoring and, following some excellent handling and strong carries from both Ryan Byrne and Donnagh Joyce, Paddy Dempsey was again on hand to crash over for his second and Enniscorthy’s final try. Downey’s successful conversion left the scoreline at 43-0 with 15 minutes remaining.

To their credit, Carlow never gave up and, following some strong carries from a number of their big ball-carriers, they eventually crossed the Enniscorthy line for a well-deserved score.

However, Enniscorthy were still determined not to give up any more points, epitomised by a period of goal-line defence that saw a number of try-saving tackles (one in particular by Ryan Byrne on his own try line) and another huge effort from Cathal Mernagh to hold up a Carlow attacker after he had crossed the Enniscorthy try line.

With time running out, Carlow mounted another phase of sustained pressure and were eventually rewarded with the final score.

Enniscorthy finished deserved winners on a scoreline of 43-12, but this doesn’t reflect how evenly matched the teams were for long periods.

Enniscorthy were just a little more clinical with the opportunities that came their way.

All that was left was for the Enniscorthy captain, Ryan Walsh, who was outstanding throughout in both attack and defense, to receive the trophy on behalf of his team.

In Ashtown Lane, the Under-13 boys faced Kilkenny. They, too, put in a great effort and were rewarded with a 35-5 victory.

In Leinster League action, the Under-18.5 boys travelled to Portlaoise and came away with a 28-12 win.

Finally, the Under-16 girls played Tullamore at home in Alcast Park. In what was an extremely close game, the visitors won 7-5.

Full article can also be read on the Enniscorthy Guardian - https://m.independent.ie/regionals/wexford/sport/othersports/south-east-plate-double-delight-for-enniscorthy-rugby-squads/a208392216.html