TWOS’ COMEBACK JUST FALLS SHORT

SECOND TEAM REPORT: SEPTEMBER 4

TWOS’ COMEBACK JUST FALLS SHORT

CHELMSFORD IIs 17 ENFIELD IGNATIANS IIs 14

The twos assembled a motley crew for their first pre-season friendly and the away trip against their Chelmsford counterparts almost paid off – only to fall short after the visitors sighted an unlikely victory, writes Jonathan Landi.

Playing up the slope in the first period Ignatians’ defence was nothing less than resolute, and it served the visitors well as they limited the Essex side to a solitary try as the hosts went into the break 5-0 in front.

Ignatians’ heroics also came at a price as the injuries mounted up and, so much so, that they were forced to use all their four subs in the opening 15 minutes, but otherwise they held firm.

Playing downhill in the second period, Ignatians had every right to feel chipper but it got worse before it got better as the tidy Chelmsford centre helped himself to a brace of tries which fired the Blue Boys 17-0 in front.

Cue a sterling fightback by Ignatians. Redoubling their efforts, they managed to engineer a couple of tries of their own via Seyi Adeosun and Jack Friel – both of which were converted by Dan Redding.

The visitors continued to ratchet up the pressure and, they could even have nicked it, had a wayward pass intended for the speedy Ryan Browne found its target, with the line beckoning.

Captain Ken Carroll said: “We were a scratch side and I thought it went well. Anzl Swartz was our Man of the Match. On two occasions he was the last line of defence, and twice he pulled off try-saving tackles. “

Not that we should be surprised as the player known as ‘the mighty atom’ is a giant killer par excellence, having felled a 17 stone behemoth in one memorable tackle in the wet against Kilburn Cosmos in January 2020.

The captain added: “Special mentions must also go to Lewis White, Seyi Adeosun, and two players who stepped up from the threes, Sean Bucknall and Stuart McLean.”

Second team squad: Jacob, Sean Bucknall, Stuart Blemings, Ken Carroll, Seyi Adeosun, Sean Coyne, Stuart McLean., Lewis White, Anzl Swartz, Dan Redding , Glenn, Jack Friel, Daniel Kunrumni, Ryan Browne, Elliot, Brad Timms, Lewis deny, Luke Gray and Tom Cox