ENFIELD IGNATIANS suffered their fourth consecutive defeat, but at least their performance was more combative than of late after partially rediscovering their mojo in the 38-7 away loss to Actonians, writes Jonathan Landi.

Despite a raft of changes in personnel, and a brand-new half-back combination, the visitors certainly fronted up physically, only for mistakes and ill-discipline to creep into their game which largely contributed to the 24-0 half-time deficit.

Although they reacquainted themselves with the word machismo, the players became a a little blindsided, oblivious at times to the fact that they needed to play the game in the opposition half. Consequently, the desperate ‘exit, exit, exit’ cries of injured captain, Euan Renny, largely fell on deaf ears in this period.

Consequently, Ignatians found themselves pinned back in their own half for large spells, with Actonians twice punishing the visitors from attacking mauls after conceding the penalty. A loose lineout tap and coughing up the ball in mid-field also proved costly.

Still, you could hear the blood coursing through Ignatians’ veins which found their full expression in the tireless charges of the indefatigable and grappling presence of Frank Antwi, the team’s outstanding forward, and the towering up-and-unders of fly-half Alfie Fordham.

Although it was always going to be a tall order pegging back Actonians in the second-half, the team more than made a decent fist of it, although they really ought to have done a whole better from a couple of attacking mauls five-metres from the line.

However, at least the game had a more even feel as Ignatians rediscovered a certain modicum of fluency, having adopted a more expansive approach by probing the wider channels.

Although it was Actonians which struck first after spreading the ball wide and creating an overlap when Ignatians had a player sin-binned, and with the visitors missing a vital one-on-one tackle in the corner, the home side increased their lead to 31-0.

That’s probably as big as it should have got, Ignatians did also slip up for the sixth and final Actonians’ try after turning over the ball when ironically on the attack, with the home side feasting on the turnover to score via their right winger.

Still, Ignatians continued to press. Their heads never dropped and finally they made the all-decisive breakthrough via a sweeping attack which banked left and paved the way for centre Ethan Renny to burst through and score unhindered.

It came with the bonus of the successful Alfie Fordham conversion, but that’s as good as it got for Ignatians, as they await the visit of second-placed Hackney on Saturday.

There were lots of positives with the new looking half-back pairing of Alfie Fordham, whi hadn’t played fly-half since his school days, and Declan Linnane (a complete novice in this position) gelling particularly well.

There was also a welcome return on the right wing for Cairo Sango. Given a lengthy absence from the game, he finished largely in credit following some crunching tackles and follow up work which earned him the Lavender Hill Garage Man of the Match.

In the forwards, the outstanding Frank Antwi apart, the returning Liam Horn showed his pedigree as a lineout Titan, with vice-captain, Finlay MacKay (good carries) giving his side extra bite in the tight when switched from the back to the front row.

Captain Euan Renny said: “Our set-piece was much improved, and comparing what we showed here to our previous games was like chalk and cheese.”

EIRFC squad: Curtis Young, Cairo Sango*, Calum Middleton*, Ethan Renny, Ben Hammond, Alfie Fordham*, Declan Linnane*, Matt Pollard, Aidan Bellingan, William Bruce*, Liam Horn*, Frank Antwi, Sam Rushmer, Finlay MacKay*, Jamiah Brown.
All used.
*= Home-grown talent