U16S PAY THE PRICE FOR A SLOW START

HERTS-MIDDLESEX DIVISION SIX: MARCH 10

HACKNEY U16S 22 ENFIELD IGNATIANS U16S 17

Following the euphoria of the last month the ENFIELD IGNATIANS U16s came down to earth with a bump after paying the price for a slow start as Hackney secured local bragging rights at a muddy Spring Hill, writes Jonathan Landi.

Caught cold in the early exchanges, the slow out of the block visitors, having been found wanting at the breakdown, shipped two early tries before centre Emmanuel pulled a try back as Ignatians sighted the Hackney lead at 10-5 down.

Subsequently undone by some poor discipline, Ignatians conceded a couple of penalties, and Hackney capitalised to secure their third try to widen the gap at 17-5 at half-time.

To their credit, Ignatians responded after the interval and, good work from the pack, created the platform by which Gabriel claimed the visitors’ second try.

However, the game subsequently ran away from Ignatians after Hackney fashioned their fourth and ‘bonus’ point try.

Again, Ignatians responded via James’ try, converted by Emmanuel, and although they were camped in the Hackney 22 for the last ten minutes, there was no way through after that, as the blue and golds were left to console themselves with a losing bonus point.

Head coach Andy Roper said: “We had a couple of players sidelined as they were suffering from a virus and the game kicked-off with each side fielding 14 players. After the wins of the last month, we were off the pace in the initial stages and Hackney were dominant at the breakdown. We came back on the scoreboard, but I told the players that, in a tight game, you can’t expect to win if you concede two soft early tries.”