(March 1) It’s been a sterling weekend for the girls/youth sections of EIRFC, and huge congratulations to the Enfield Tigers U18s contingent who clustered under the Welwyn banner and won the South-East regional final 25-24 at the main expense of Wimbledon.

In a game played at Welwyn RFC, the combined might of Welwyn, EIRFC Tigers and Old Grammarians amongst others, made light of playing up the slope by forging a 15-7 half-time lead.

Outscoring their opponents 5-4 on the tries’ count, the combined Welwyn team secured a vital turnover which ultimately tipped the balance in their favour, as it gave them just enough cushion to withstand a fierce Wimbledon comeback.

A full report will be published in due course.

(JUNIOR) The U16s sealed the Herts-Middlesex Division Three title after making it seven wins in as many league games after quelling the spirited resistance of Verulamian RFC 27-17 at a wet and rainy Donkey Lane.

In a game which pitted first and second, EIRFC, having also secured the Division Five title last season, ran in five tries via Sammy (two), Matteo, Ollie G and the outstanding David A. The latter was voted Player of the Match. Harry H also added a conversion.

Make no mistake, this was a hard-fought victory, with Ignatians, whose rugby was a bit too fanciful at times given the conditions, having to dig deep to breach the visitors’ defence, as it took a full 22-minutes for Ignatians to open the scoring.

However, EIRFC’s dominant pack and big ball carriers such as David A and Hayden kept plugging away and this ensured touchdowns for Sammy and Matteo, who helped settle home nerves after delivering the perfect riposte to V’s well-worked try.

Having inched their way to a 12-5 half-time lead, a more relaxed and fluent EIRFC took their destiny into their own hands, as further tries from Sammy, Ollie G and the outstanding Player of the Match David A meant that EIRFC were over the line.

Still, one must salute a whole-hearted effort from Verulamian RFC who ended the game on a high after scoring two further tries from cross-field kicks.

Ignatians’ perfect seven league campaign has ensured a maximum haul of 35 points, having picked up winning bonus points in each of their games, and they have friendlies against Ruislip and Hitchin in the pipeline before embarking on their habitual Easter tour to Kent.

Steve Corcoran, part of the EIRFC coaching panel with head coach Alfie Hitchcock and Dale Gardener, said: “I think we were guilty of forcing it a bit too much in the early stages, but Verulamian were by a distance the toughest team we have come across [in the league], but as the game wore the pressure we applied on their defensive line ultimately told, and once we relaxed we started to cut loose.”

A full report on the game from our special correspondent Rob ‘Hold the Back Page’ Painter’ will appear later in the week.

(SENIOR ACADEMY) The Senior Academy have been a major force in Herts-Middlesex Colts Division Five, and they ended their league campaign on a high after bursting the bubble of hitherto unbeaten Harrow 26-22 at Donkey Lane.

In a game of alternating fortunes, a crucial turnover from Ira enabled captain Will to score the vital try at the death. The decibel levels reached a crescendo after Ben added his third conversion – enabling the hosts to wrap up all five points.

However, the destiny of the title is ultimately dependent on the outcome of the Aylesbury game against Hampstead, and Harrow’s game in hand against Welwyn which is scheduled for later in the month.

EIRFC also prospered via tries from Cassius, Isiah and Luke Roper. They have secured 19 points from their five league games following three wins and a draw against fellow title contenders Aylesbury.

A full report on the game will be published later in the week.