Having been the odd team out of nine in round one of the second phase of the Leinster Metro League, Skerries second XV belatedly returned to competitive action on Friday night, after four weeks without a game, as they welcomed Enniscorthy to Holmpatrick.
On a break weekend for the AIL, the two teams ensured the strong home crowd weren’t missing out, as they served up a feast of tries, with the home side eventually running out winners on a rather remarkable scoreline of 53-35.
The clubs have enjoyed a series of closely-fought battles at this level over recent seasons but it looked at one point like the home side might have a comfortable evening, as Skerries raced to a 24-7 lead and a bonus point inside the opening half hour, thanks to tries from Paddy Finn, Dara Twomey, Brían Walsh and Taidgh Keane Boylan, and a pair of conversions from Jeff Sexton.
Enniscorthy kept the scoreboard ticking over on their end – thanks in part to Skerries’ enthusiasm and endeavour to run the ball out from their own 22 – but another try from scrum-half, Shane Hannon made it 29-14 at halftime.
Among a number of players to put their hands up for AIL selection over the coming weeks, Keane Boylan crossed for his second try within minutes of the restart, following a sweeping team move from deep in their own territory, before the versatile Twomey matched the brace to make it 41-14.
Another converted try for Enniscorthy cut the gap by seven but when Cal Marrey burrowed over and then Tim Deering touched down in the corner, it essentially put the result to bed at 53-21.
Led by former Skerries second row, Darragh Joyce, the visitors finished strongly and were rewarded with two further converted tries to ensure they made the journey back to Wexford with a deserved bonus point, and gave a nice, rounded look to the final scoreboard.
The seconds are back in action next Saturday on what will be a huge day for the club and the senior squad, as they travel to Tullamore in the Metro League, at the same time as Malone and Skerries 1XV renew AIL acquaintances in Holmpatrick.
Skerries versus Enniscorthy:
15. Jack Litchfield
14. Brían Walsh
13. Taidgh Keane-Boylan
12. Billy Carroll
11. Dara Twomey
10. Jeff Sexton
9. Shane Hannon
1. Killian Stuart
2. Cal Marrey
3. Johnny Sherwin
4. Rossa Gilbride
5. Jack McGregor
6. Paddy Finn
7. Jonny Clear
8. Ben McKiernan
16. Vinny Watson
17. Ryan Kiernan
18. Cian McGuinness
19. Mikey Woods
20.Tim Deering