Small steps. New look Enfield Ignatians opened and ended the game on the defensive but, in between, they fashioned some good passages of play to record a workmanlike 29-19 win against local rivals Old Grammarians at Donkey Lane (August 31), writes Jonathan Landi.

The pre-season friendly proved useful in more ways than one with as, with places up for grabs in the league opener against Hampstead on Saturday, it enabled head coach Gary Phillips to blood seven new faces to first team rugby this season – three of which got on the scoresheet – including the joint Man of the Match Henry Sibley (pictured).

Some of the wily campaigners also made eloquent statements, with a fired-up Frank Antwi proving a human wrecking ball in the forwards, and the versatile Tom MacDougall providing the necessary craft and guile out wide when it came to unlocking defences.

However, here’s no escaping that the ring of unfamiliarity haunted the new look side in the early exchanges, as they were largely on the defensive for much of the first quarter, with Alfie Fordham and Paul Duke both making vital tackles.

Having successfully weathered initial opposition pressure, an OGs’ mistake (dropped ball) deep in the red zone, presented a golden opportunity with captain Euan Renny initially favourite to score after fly-hacking the ball through.

However, scrum-half, Ben Cawte-Davey, having impressed with his service from the base, also entered this particular foot-race, and he prevailed in this particular battle on his first team debut. Ryan Loo, back with the club after a spell at Cheshunt, added the first of his two conversions.

The hosts extended their lead to 12-0 in the second quarter after some crisp handling in broken play set-up Henry Sibley, who surged through on the far flank, with the backrower capping a fine display by sharing the Man of the Match accolade with fellow debutant, winger Timi Sanusi.

Ignatians then responded to a try from Old Grammarians’ dangerous inside centre after cleverly sucking in the blindside defence before unleashing fullback, Tom MacDougall, for the first of his two tries, before Ryan Loo ran in an interception try from close to his own line.

The hosts subsequently paid the price for hands in the ruck in the red zone, and ignoring the instructions of the referee (there’s a lesson there!) after having a player sin-binned, and Old Grammarians cashed-in after successfully barging their way over from a close-range penalty.

Ignatians’ fifth and final try had its roots in a neat dink over the top from Ryan Loo, and ensuing lineout, before some nifty footwork from Tom MacDougall enabled him to ghost his way through a gap between two defenders for a very well taken score.

Ryan Loo added two conversions but fittingly, Old Grammarians, the more threatening of the two sides in the first and final quarters, had the final say after their inside centre claimed his second try, this time under the posts.

Last but not least, it was also good to welcome back prop, Finlay Mackay. The former youth section player does boast past first team experience, and, he, too, should prove a useful addition to the squad.

Captain Euan Renny said: “We’re still very much a work in progress and so are very much in a rebuilding phase. However, it felt very positive out there (on the pitch], although there is still a lot of work still to do.”

EIRFC squad: Finlay MacKay, Sam Hatchett, Ken Carroll, Nathaniel Clarke, Jake Baker, Henry Sibley, Euan Renny (Capt), Frank Antwi, Ben Cawte-Davey, Ryan Loo, Timi Sanusi, Alfie Fordham, Jack O’Toole, Tom MacDougall, Paul Duke, Seyi Adeosun, Louis Sellick, Matt Pollard, William Bruce.
Tries: Ben Cawte-Davey, Henry Sibley, Tom MacDougall (2), Ryan Loo.
Conversions (2): Ryan Loo.
MOM: Henry Sibley/ Timi Sanusi