The Enfield Ignatians’ clubhouse was in fine voice after delivering a splendid rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas during the President’s Lunch, but the sound on the field was discordant in comparison following the 32-5 defeat to Hackney.

It marked Ignatians’ fifth consecutive defeat ahead of the visit to Kilburn Cosmos, and it wasn’t that long ago [October] since they forced a 20-20 draw with Hackney at Spring Hill.

Despite a strong start and the wind in their favour, Ignatians were increasingly trapped in their own half and, struggling to exit, were certainly culpable for the first Hackney try as they were far too narrow in defence, and so were readily out-flanked fairly easily.

The concession of the second try was more down to the percentages as, having lost the aerial battle close to their 22 when the odds were initially in their favour, and Hackney feasted on the turnover by recycling quickly and efficiently before dotting down under the sticks.

Both tries were converted and, with Hackney extending the lead after potting a penalty, Ignatians found themselves cast 17-0 adrift on the scoreboard, before resurfacing strongly late in the half after completing some good defensive sets close to or around their own line.

Ignatians also started to play more on the front foot and, having won their fair share of penalties via the pressure exercised by their dominant pack, they were afforded three golden opportunities of getting on the scoresheet from attacking mauls.

However, on each occasion, they were bust at the bank, having got isolated one occasion, which resulted in a goal-line dropout, and perhaps the extra ‘weight’ applied the backline, could also have been brought to bear on such occasions?

Ignatians also failed to tap into the potential of one of the fastest players on the field, winger Cairo Sango. Forced to attend to defensive chores, the speedster, on the other hand, cut a frustrated spectator figure in all other respects as no passes came his way during the game.

Trailing 17-0 at the break, Ignatians were by no means down and out, and despite falling further behind after Hackney added a second penalty, they showed plenty of grit by making good territorial in-roads via their dominant pack.

The pressure certainly told as Hackney lost two players to the sin-bin for multiple team infringements and retaliation, and in the interim, Ignatians successfully corralled their opponents close to their own line before striking out from a 5m scrum.

The dash and dart of the Mary Madden’s MOM Sam Rushmer from the base was just short, but the hosts weren’t about to let up, and they continued to pound the rock before the indefatigable Frank Antwi was awarded the try.

Again, full marks to the referee, who had a good game, and who adjusted his position and took a good look before awarding the score.

Dan Shaw’s conversion attempt unluckily rebounded off the uprights.

However, there was a disappointing end to the game for tiring Ignatians, as they conceded again after dropping off tackles in the red zone, before leaking the fourth bonus try after Hackney carved a huge overlap on the left, before finishing on a high before stabbing a neat grubber kick int o the path of the try scorer.

Captain Euan Renny said: “The positives for us where a dominant scrummage, and we also put in some good defensive sets which meant that Hackney couldn’t go through the middle of us. However, we made mistakes in our own half and so invited pressure on ourselves.”

EIRFC squad: Adam Moorley, Cairo Sango*, Curtis Young, Seyi Adeosun*, Frazer Briers*, Alfie Fordham, Dan Shaw, Matt Pollard, Chris Langan, Sam Bucknall, Henry Sibley*, Liam Horn*, Declan Linnane*, Frank Antwi, Sam Rushmer, William Bruce*, Jay Brown, Ken Carroll*. *=home-grown talent.
Try: Frank Antwi.
Mary Madden’s Man of the Match: Sam Rushmer.