Enfield Ignatians versus Harrow clashes have tended to go down to the wire, and this was no different as the visitors, despite having emptied their tank, wound up their league campaign prior to the play-offs with a 20-14 loss at Grove Lane.

In a game which hung in the balance until the last, Ignatians had a chance to nick the game at the death, but despite some great team build-up the final pass went astray, and so a gilt-edged chance to nail a cliff-hanger went begging.

Both teams deserve plenty of credit for some ferocious defence, and Enfield Ignatians were on the receiving end of some unrelenting Harrow pressure in the first 15-minutes of the game.

However, the onslaught did not garner Harrow any points on the scoreboard, and slowly but surely the visitors worked their way into the game in terms of more territory and possession, which was further translated into some good chances of their own.

In equal measure, Harrow, having also defended superbly, were in no mood to yield and consequently a state of stalemate prevailed after 20-minutes when the score was still locked at nil-nil.

However, Ignatians did have the navigate the loss to injury of both second rows, namely the talismanic Frank Antwi (knee), who was soon joined on the sidelines by his partner in the engine room, Nathaniel Clarke.

Eventually, Harrow broke the deadlock via one of two successful penalties potted by Billy Argent, before following up with a try to lead 10 - 0.

Undaunted, Ignatians showed their battling qualities by reducing the deficit to 10 – 7 following a great team try signed off by captain Euan Renny, and converted by Ryan Loo, having moved to within three points at the interval.

The second half continued in similar ilk and, although neither side was in full control, Harrow again struck first in the form of a converted try, and a second Billy Argent penalty, to forge a 12-point lead after going 20-7 up.

Cue another stern Ignatians’ response after the evergreen backrower and hard-carrying, Sam Rushmer, tapped into his energy levels to cross for Ignatians’ second try, with Ryan Loo making no mistake from the tee, as the visitors moved to within six points.

In the last five minutes, Harrow were again knocking on the door - close to the Enfield Ignatians try-line - but some unflinching defence caused the ball to be spilled. Ignatians seized upon the breakaway opportunity but it all went skew-whiff at a vital moment.

Head coach Gary Phillips said: “It was a great game, if not the result we think we deserved.”
In the wake of this game, the league will divide in two, with the top four and the sides ranked fifth to eighth each playing each other on a home and away basis.

Consequently, Ignatians, having wound up sixth in the league, will face off against Finsbury Park (February 28 and March 28), Actonians (March 21 and April 11) and Old Millhillians (March 7 and April 18).