ENFIELD TIGERS' CUP FINAL REPORT: MARCH 3

REGIONAL CUP FINAL: MARCH 3

ENFIELD TIGERS U18S 5 OLD REIGATIANS U18S 38

The Regional Cup final proved a bridge too far for the Enfield Tigers U18s girls’ side, as the visitors Old Reigatians lorded a memorable encounter 38-5 at Donkey Lane on Sunday 3 March, writes Jonathan Landi.

The ‘Tigers’, effectively a cluster side grouping Enfield Ignatians, Old Grammarians, Harpenden and Watford, had clocked up some big scores in the run-up to the final, but they were caught cold in the opening exchanges as the Old Reigatians’ wingers cut loose and claimed a try on each flank.

The Tigers roared back in the second-quarter and a neat cross-field kick by Niamh Gallagher set up Poppy Langthorne, with a similar attempt, later in the half, frustratingly eluding its intended receiver by mere inches.

Otherwise, the Tigers relied on their dominant pack to do the hard yards and, despite some great carries by the tight eight, they failed to cash in on a couple of gilt-edged chances, having twice been held-up close to the line.

Trailing 12-5 at the break, these were missed chances that the Tigers were to bitterly regret, as Old Reigatians pressed home their advantage and, after running some great lines and profiting from an unforced error, they forged further ahead at 24-5 up after the break.

Not that the Tigers didn’t have further chances and particularly in a spell when the visitors had two players sin-binned. Having won a couple of penalties and drilled the ball to the corner, they were twice repelled some 5m from the line.

Far too lateral in the wide channels, the Tigers struggled to break through as the more fluid Old Reigatians closed on a high. Having caged the Tigers in their own 22, they proved very adept at finding the gaps by adding a further two tries to the ledger.

Despite the loss, it marks a high point in the Enfield Tigers girls’ section, with a bumper crowd, including a large visiting contingent from Surrey, appreciating the efforts of both sides, and roundly applauding both teams at the presentation ceremony. A big thank you, too, to Louise Latter, who presented the awards to both teams.

Although they lost on the pitch, the club proved a sure-fire winner off it. Club president Kevin Linnane said: “Congratulations to those that set up the club today for the girls’ final. It looked immense. Well done all.”

Ignatians also won the plaudits from Old Reigatians with the head coach even suggesting a rematch south of the river, at a time to be arranged. However, whatever you looked at it: it was a memorable occasion.

The Enfield Tigers squad: Amelie Melville, Maeve Campbell, Tilly Harris, Rene Sonubi, Jessica James Megan Cawte-Davey, Isobelle O'Connell, Emeka Dawkins, Isobel Kennedy, Amelia Highway, Niamh Gallagher, Abbie Griffiths, Sasha Muzzlewhite, Katie Brookman, Poppy Langthorne, Nicole van Straaten, Neve Holdom, Ausra Holbrook.