IGNATIANS STEP UP A GEAR AS THE TRIES FLOW APLENTY

FRIENDLY: DECEMBER 3

ENFIELD IGNATIANS U16S 62 CHESHUNT U16S 22

The ENFIELD IGNATIANS U16S have hit a rich vein of form, and visiting Cheshunt offered only limited resistance, as the blue and golds cut loose after roaring their way to a 62-22 win over the division higher visitors at a drizzly Donkey Lane.

In a game played over four quarters, and which had the feel of a training game given that neither side had a full complement, with Ignatians ‘loaning’ some of their best players split over the various time segments, which did at least make for a more meaningful contest as the game wore on.

Setting out their stall from the word go, a confident Ignatians spread the ball wide from inside their own 22, with James V, the final receiver, applying the afterburners, and after initially hugging the touchline, his ensuing arcing run ushered-in the first of Ignatians’ ten tries.

From a similar initial position, scrum-half, Luke R, went for broke from inside his 22, after the referee had played good penalty advantage, and the livewire half-back’s solo run, following the successful Emanuel conversion, rocketed the hosts into a 14-0 lead in the opening exchanges.

After weathering a spell of Cheshunt pressure, which almost yielded a try for the visitors’ talented scrum-half, Ignatians again made their way up the field and, following some good build-up play, Ryan made the all-important breach after successfully taking route one to the try line.

Cheshunt again made in-roads territorially. However Ignatians again weathered the storm and Emanuel’s huge relieving kick up-field sat up perfectly for the chasing Will, and he soon went beyond recall after latching onto the ‘inviting’ bounce.

A rampant Ignatians added a fifth try as the fluent hosts, given good direction by their half-backs, spread the ball through the hands, before the surging Gabriel cut through the heart of the Cheshunt defensive line for try number six.

Ryan went on to complete his brace after storming his way through from the base of the ruck, before Emanuel, the author of five successful conversions, broke free from within his own 22, as Ignatians stormed their way to a 45-0 lead at the end of the second quarter.

The third quarter, however, belonged to Cheshunt, as given the impetus of a couple of players from the Ignatians’ talent pool, they shaded the try count 2-1 in this part of the game.

The highpoints from Ignatians’ perspective were Micah’s try, after the hosts ran a penalty close to the Cheshunt line, and a forceful display from Shey, who although he didn’t get on the scoresheet, always seemed to be in the right place at the right time.

The fourth and final quarter was even stevens with each side claiming two tries apiece, with Cheshunt opening the scoring in this part of the game with two touchdowns, and they used the full width of the field before the right winger dotted down near the corner.

However, Ignatians closed on a high with Gabriel, a real hive of energy, claimed his second try of the game (converted by Luke R), before the mobile Isaiah signed off the tenth and final try.

Head coach Andy Roper said: “We’ve made improvements at the breakdown and I think that showed today. I thought Liam did well in the centres. We don’t currently have a game this Sunday, but I may go on the exchange, if necessary, with a view to securing another one before the Christmas break.”