MUCH IMPROVED EFFORT BY THE ONES

NOVEMBER 17: GAME EFFORT BY THE ONES:

ENFIELD IGNATIANS 5 OLD STREETONIANS 11

Enfield Ignatians delivered a much-improved performance and, although unable to stop the rot of a sixth consecutive league defeat, they at least made a contest of it in the Counties One Herts-Middlesex league showdown against fifth-placed Old Streetonians at Donkey Lane, writes Jonathan Landi.

Given the impetus of plenty of grunt and grind provided by the pack, allied to a whole-hearted defensive effort, and the sterling service
provided by the half-backs, Daniel Shaw and Jack Wilson, they had plenty of go forward in the first-half, if not quite the cutting edge.

Despite rattling the visitors’ cage on several occasions, with the likes of MOM Daniel Shaw, Ethan Renny and Lucas Yoxall all prominent, they were unable to make the all-important break-through on the scoreboard, having invariably either conceded the penalty or handed back the initiative back to the opposition via the drop out.

However, it was the Ignatians’ defensive resolve, an area in which they have sorely been found wanting this season, that was the most heartening aspect of their performance, having successfully turned the contest in a giant arm wrestle, and one in which points really were at a premium. One must also credit Jake Baker for some sterling tidying up work at the lineout.

Dominant in the tight and with their props gaining good traction, Ignatians successfully denied their opponents vital attacking momentum by ferociously contesting the breakdown, and their impressive work rate manifested itself in an impressive tackle count which constantly discomforted the visitors.

The reception afforded the Old Streetonians’ ball carriers was a warm one with the likes of Frank Antwi, Seyi Adeosun and Wes Warren combining to douse the fires of any attacking momentum, and even when the visitors threatened to break through, the last line of defence clung to its man like a limpet.

The improvements were manifest as a side, which on one occasion had leaked 29 first-half points this season, competed on equal terms and, so much so, that the half-time score was a rare, and improbable nil-nil, if previous form was anything to go by.

Understandably, the half-time mood was buoyant and head-coach Jack Wilson exhorted his troops to kick-on and win the game.

It didn’t quite happen as a mobile Old Steetonians, despite having their hooker sin-binned for an act of foul play late in the first-half, rebounded from off the ropes, and they were very much the dominant force in the second period as they sought to stretch the hosts at every opportunity.

Encouragingly, Ignatians’ rarely buckled under fierce pressure. Defending like Trojans, even from 5m scrums, line, they continued to put their bodies on the line, and even securing vital turnovers, but something had to give and inevitably the visitors broke the stalemate via a drop-kicked penalty.

It was just as well that the Old Streetonians’ kicker subsequently had a Gavin Hastings moment (1991 World Cup) by missing a sitter from in front of the posts, as it would have otherwise denied Ignatians a well-deserved losing bonus point.

However, the visitors, the bit between their teeth, continued to ratchet up the pressure and, from a position close to the Ignatians’ line, they successfully stretched the hosts from one side of the field to the other for a very well worked try.

Eventually, though, Ignatians did lift the siege after winning a couple of penalties, and, having at last got back on the front foot, they followed up one dangerous attack, with another, by successfully moving the ball from the point of contact and locating the space out wide.

The ensuing attacking momentum bore fruit as the ball was swept to the far flank where hooker, Sam Hatchett, finished off with aplomb for his first try for the club, and this following a spell of six years away from the game.

Now within three points, Ignatians tried unsuccessfully to go on the attack, but they had left it late, and the visitors made the game safe by nailing a second penalty.

Head coach Jack Wilson said: “We’ve had a couple of good training sessions in the lead-up, and the try we scored was as a result of the structured play we have been working-on. It was far more positive and a big improvement on previous displays. Hopefully, this will act as a template for the team going forward.”

Ignatians remain precariously perched at the wrong end of the table and key to their survival will be a run of four games this side of Christmas, and particularly the crunch home clashes against Datchworth and Hampstead.

The squad: Tom Buckland, Paul Duke, Tom MacDougall, Ethan Renny, Lucas Yoxall, Jack Wilson, Daniel Shaw, Farhad Fayaz, Sam Hatchett (Matt Pollard 70), Matt Georgiou, Jake Baker, Wes Warren (Ben Hammond 60), Euan Renny, Seyi Adeosun, Frank Antwi. Not used: Ken Carroll.
Try scorer: Sam Hatchett.

MOM: Daniel Shaw.