YET SO NEAR AND YET SO FAR FOR THE U16S

HERTS-MIDDLESEX DIVISION SIX

HARROW U16S 17 ENFIELD IGNATIANS U16S 14

ENFIELD IGNATIANS U16S were left to console themselves with a losing bonus point after letting slip a nine-point lead in the 17-14 away defeat at Harrow on Sunday 21 January.

Playing into the wind in the first half, Ignatians did well to peg back Harrow, the authors of a well worked try after ten minutes, with a converted touchdown of their own, as Emanuel claimed a fine individual try which originated from within the home team’s own half.

Having raced clean through, the try scorer added to his handiwork, by adding the extras, as the visitors reached the turnaround 7-5 in front

Despite not fully capitalising on the wind in the second-half, Ignatians did at least contemplate the possibility of victory after Emanuel added a second try, which he again converted, as Ignatians forged a nine point 14-5 lead.

Despite getting into a winning position, Ignatians were pegged back on the scoreboard, as Harrow rallied with a brace of tries of their own, as the home side sat on a precarious three-point lead, which the away team again threatened to erode.

As during a sustained period of pressure going to the final five minutes, Ignatians sighted the Harrow line, but they were unable to make the all-important breach, as the home team hung on.

Head coach Andy Roper said: “We probably needed to strike a better balance tactically. As there were times when we could have played a bit wider, and periods when we weren’t tight enough. Micah was our Man of the Match. However, I do feel that we’re making progress.”