UNDER 16S HINT AT BETTER TIMES AHEAD IF THEY CAN DIGEST THE IMPLICATIONS OF HARPENDEN LESSON

HERTS-MIDDLESEX U16S DIVISION SIX

(WILLIAM HAS WRITTEN HIS OWN INDIVIDUAL REPORT WHICH IS IN THE NEWS SECTION)

ENFIELD IGNATIANS U16S 17 HARPENDEN U16S B 42

The Enfield Ignatians U16s, out to add to their win against Hertford B in this division, were brought back to earth with a bump by a strong Harpenden B ‘Development’ side which blended skill and mobility in equal measure, writes Jonathan Landi.

The heavier of the two teams, Ignatians made their physicality pay dividends in the early part of the game and, when they stuck to structure and a simple game plan, they revealed glimpses of their undoubted potential. Although not enough in the overall context of the game.

Having got on the front foot early dorrs and gained the penalty for a high tackle, they drilled the ball to the corner, and after securing the ball from the lineout and setting up the maul in textbook fashion, they spun the ball wide to the back division.

A few passes later, the ball found its way into the hands of centre Emanuel (St Ignatius College), whose evasive skills in the form of a couple of neat sidesteps, enabled him to twice round defenders for an opening score which was very well executed.

After a mobile Harpenden side, always a threat in broken-field situations, had inched ahead via a converted try, Ignatians spurned a golden opportunity to add a second try after winning three close range penalties, only to come up bust at the bank each time.

Having departed from their structure, and gifted Harpenden a get out of jail card in the form of the goal-line drop out, Ignatians found themselves increasingly on the backfoot, as the visitors, given plenty of direction by their lively half-backs, took charge after upping the tempo of the game and successfully moving the chesspieces around to good effect.

The Harpenden fly-half’s neat cross-field came packaged with a wicked bounce, which not only fooled the defence, but also afforded the openside flanker the softest of run-ins, and the visitors also added a third try after shunting the heavier Ignatians’ pack into reverse, and taking one against the head, at a 5m scrum.

Although trailing 21-5 at the break, Ignatians will reflect on some fine individual moments with Josh (second row), William (number eight) and James V (fullback), Lescine (fly-half), the author of a dangerous break, all prominent; but, as a collective, the hosts waned in this part of the game, and the half-time whistle probably couldn’t come soon enough.

Harpenden continued to ratchet up the pressure after the break and, a beautifully weighted 50-22 kick from their skilful fly-half, and how often do you see that at this level? gave the visitors a prime attacking pitch, close to the line, from which they fashioned their bonus point try.

However, pressurised Ignatians hung-in doggedly and, having weathered the storm, they gradually worked their way up-field as they crept ever closer to the Harpenden line.

Although Harpenden were awarded the put-in at the 5m scrum, the Ignatians’ pack got the nudge-on and pinched one against the head, with scrum-half Luke R’s (the son of former first team scrum-half Andy) successful blindside probe ushering in try number two.

The scrum-half also proved a key catalyst in Ignatians’ third try, with his stunning solo break from his own line, setting the alarm bells ringing in the Harpenden defence, before he was ‘scragged’ on the 22-metre line.

Given the added impetus of the support and following some quick recycling, Enfield Ignatians’ inside centre Emanuel breathed further fire into the movement, and his arcing run enabled him to outflank the despairing defence, before dotting down under the sticks.

The successful conversion by fly-half Lescine moved Ignatians to within nine points, and to a point at which they could at least contemplate securing a bonus point from the game – in the event of adding a fourth try.

However, a resurgent Harpenden had other ideas, and after getting good width on their game, they finished on a high by adding a further two tries to the ledger, both of which were converted from the far touchline, to run out deserving winners.

Last but not leas, a big thanks to Herts referee, Neil Gammon, a former Ignatians’ first teamer, who provided firm and fair direction to proceedings.

Head coach Andy Roper said: “We played some good rugby in parts against a strong Harpenden Development team. Despite some fine individual performances at second row, number eight and fullback amongst others [including the try scorers], we did run out of steam, and boasting our fitness levels will be an immediate priority.”

As good as his word, the coach has organised a half-term fitness session this Wednesday, which, hopefully, will be one the passports to better things in future games.