U16S MATCH REPORT: NOVEMBER 5

U16S MATCH REPORT: NOVEMBER 5

U16S MATCH REPORT: NOVEMBER 5

ENFIELD U16S 41 CHESS VALLEY U16S 22

The U16s, coming off spirited defeats against Aylesbury and Harpenden B, got back in the winning groove with a decisive 41-22 victory against Chess Valley at Donkey Lane.

Having worked hard on the training paddock, and with particular regard to boosting their fitness levels after the Harpenden loss, they were very much the dominant force in the first period

Using their big ball carriers to good effect and dominant at the breakdown, the U16s defensive patterns also stood up, and even when Chess Valley threatened, they managed to secure a number of important turnovers and clear their lines.

Luke R opened the scoring from a broken-field situation which saw him ghost his way past two defenders, and excellent build up play, with fullback James V prominent, created the platform for the supporting Lescine to finish off.

Invariably a threat when he got the ball in his hands, and the author of two sizzling breaks after hugging the touchlines, James V deservedly got in on the act after securing try number three after Ignatians had bust the gain line.

Having threatened on a number of occasions, Chess Valley finally opened their account with a well worked out wide, with the attacker’s arcing run proving a welcome tonic for the visitors.

Still, Ignatians had the last laugh of the half with Shey breaching the line for Ignatians’ fourth after cutting a lovely line off centre Emanuel, as the hosts led 22-7 at the break.

Having lost a man to injury, and Chess Valley sportingly loaned is one of their players, Ignatians set out to maintain their momentum in the second-half, whereas the visitors, boosted by fresh legs, came out of the blocks firing.

After successfully weathering early Chess Valley pressure, Ignatians continued to dominate and, after spreading the ball wide, both James V and Emanuel, imperiously broke through to score unhindered as the hosts forged 34-12 clear.

Perhaps thinking that they had the job done, Ignatians’ approach was far more lackadaisical, and game Chess Valley, buoyed by some powerful carries from their number number eight, came back strongly into the game.

The improvements of the visitors were tangible and, having their best spell, they rifled off three tries in succession to move within 12 points of Ignatians, as the home side dropped off tackles.

Eventually, with Ignatians, back on the front foot again, they successfully got behind the defence, as Luke R stopped the rot by outflanking the defence to secure his side’s seventh try as the blue and golds finished on a high.

Coach Andy Roper said: “All credit to the boys as they turned up to fitness session after the Harpenden game in good numbers, and they’ve continued to work hard on the training paddock.

“I thought we played some good rugby in parts, having strung some good phases together, but we need to do it more often, and particularly when we come up against the better sides.”