Enniscorthy have had a tough start to the season and on Saturday against Bruff they came very close to securing their 1st win. A Cian Hogan penalty in injury time in front of the posts secured a losing bonus point. The conditions were excellent and we had a log of running rugby from both teams as they moved ball at every opportunity which made it an exciting game for the spectators. 

Enniscorthy's defence however proved to be porus in the opening 40 minutes as the visitors led 24-10 at half time  conceding a couple of soft tries and it was frustrating because they had more of the ball but again a couple of concentration lapses were costly.

Bruff scored their 1st  try on 7 minutes when  they turned over possession in midfield and with the home teams defence on the back foot they scored out wide with  winger Clem McCauliffe touching down in the corner. Fullback Paul Collins kicked a superb conversion from the touchline to give them an early lead.

Enniscorthy responded in the 15th minute with a brilliant team score. Mickie Nolan made a a superb 30 meter break through the middle and his surging run set  Kevin O'Connor flying down the right wing and when he ran out of space he shifted the ball to James Doyle who powered over the line for the try and Cian Hogan added the extras. Doyle was making his 1st start of the season after finishing his exploits on the GAA fields with Davidstown Cournacuddy. 

Enniscorthy went in front 5 minutes later terrific work by the forwards they won a penalty in front of the posts which Cian Hogan knocked over and now there were in front 10-7.

Enniscorthy were dominating possession but could not score against the well marshalled Bruff defence and were punished in the 23rd minute when  frustratingly they again missed tackles to allow McCauliffe to score his 2nd try. Bruff were to score 2 further tries before halftime and again it was because of the home teams mistakes. 

Enniscorthy really turned it on in the 2nd half and it was James Doyle the number 8 who grabbed his 2nd try from close in and with Hogan adding the conversion the gap was  down to 7 points. The dancing feet of Kevin O'Connor set up the 3rd try for the home team. Cian Hogan was inches wide with conversion attempt from the sideline. It was now 24-22 with 10 minutes remaining. 

In a rare visit inside the home teams 22 Bruff capitalised with Fionn Flanagan crossing the line close to the posts for Collins to stretch the lead.

Enniscorthy produced a grand stand finish and were unlucky not to score. A brilliant sequence of  play set up a try but unfortunately the referee Ross O'Shaughnessy said the final pass was forward but to Enniscorthy's credit to never gave up and were rewarded  in injury time with Hogan's late penalty. It was a cracking game and the performance from the home team will fill them with encouragement going forward and although it was a loss it felt like a win at full time. They will still however have to tidy up their defence and stop conceding soft tries.

Kevin O'Connor was the man of the Match closely followed by Bill Blyth and James Doyle.

Team:MJ Doyle(Capt),Davy Murphy (Jim Doyle),Philip Murphy (Scott O'Connor), David Farrell,Marco Byrne(Tom Ryan),Ryan Bailey (Lee Treacy),Mickey McVeigh,James Doyle, Bill Blyth,Cian Hogan,Killian Creed (Darragh Breen),Mikey Nolan, Miguel Byrne, Kevin O"Connor.Conal Kervick.

Next Match: Saturday November 7th away to Midleton RFC .KO 2.30pm.