Beyond the confines of the bare result, the U13s will be much happier with their second-half performance, which enabled them to close the gap with the pace-setters Cheshunt in this game at Donkey Lane (April 19).

The first-half very much exposed the fault lines in their game as handling errors, indifferent ball retention and a number of missed tackles enabled the visitors to exercise a strong grip on proceedings. They were also far too passive at the breakdown.

Sporadically, the U13s did have recourse to their secret weapon, and once Freddie injected a serious dose of pace, the home side twice came back on the scoreboard, as they kept themselves in the hunt.

The team were much improved in the second period. Far more cohesive, they were also far more fluent with the ball in hand as the passes started to stick and, when they worked the ball to the wings, they looked dangerous.

Freddie’s arcing runs and pace hurt the visitors on two further occasions.

Braver in the tackle, too, they also started to win some David versus Goliath battles, and
Reggie, on the right wing, took the cue by pulling off a stunning tackle close to the touchline.
It proved a pivotal moment as Aman snaffled the loose ball, using his long-stride to outpace an ever-thinning cover with some straight, forceful running, and score.

Rocco, too, came more into the game. Asking some serious questions of the Cheshunt defence, he was rewarded for a number of good carries with a score.

The improved performance after the break took Ignatians to within striking distance before the visitors redoubled their efforts and pulled clear with a late flurry.

(SENIOR ACADEMY) It has been confirmed that the Senior Academy were runners-up in Herts-Middlesex Colts Division Five, having been overhauled by Harrow who capitalised on their game in hand to pip the blue and golds by a solitary point.

Going to the final day, Ignatians, still standing tall with 19 points, held the whip hand, but Harrow, capitalising on Welwyn conceding the fixture against the north-west London side, bagged five priceless points to carry the day on 20 points.

Still, it has been a very positive season for the Senior Academy. They were the only team to beat Harrow, and but for a last-minute blip away to Staines – their only league defeat – they would have been crowned champions.

This is per information as provided by the Saracens Junior Leagues website.