Ignore the final scoreline and the nine tries, this was an uncomfortable watch! From the 40th to 54th minute Enfield led by just 4 points. A Sammy try on 54mins took that out to 11. But for the next ten minutes past the hour, Ignatians were under the cosh. There was real threat of a Hemel try making it a one score game going into the final quarter. A good passage of defending however against a series of Hemel tap penalties won them the game. And after Ignatians were awarded a penalty, an enterprising tap and go from his own 22 from lock forward Hayden saw Enfield escape. The big man even managed to kick long up towards the Hemel 22. Shortly after we saw a brilliant run from Josh that unlocked the Hemel defence. Ollie S was slipped a pass from the centre and he streaked away to score. Patrick converted and it was 38-20 64mins. It was a psychological blow, the Hemel spirit was finally broken and Enfield went on to put gloss on the scoreline. Despite winning 59-20 this was not a dominating, clinical performance from the lads. While hard to believe, they were very much under par on the day. The cold conditions, some overplaying at times and a dash of complacency perhaps contributing. Ultimately though the result was a bonus point win that keeps Ignatians top of their league.

The Under 16’s welcomed Hemel to a bitterly cold Donkey Lane on Sunday. As we have seen this season the lads made a fast start and there was no sign of the struggles that were to follow. Lots of good hands involved moving the ball across the park pushed Hemel back towards their 22. Then a good weaving run from Matteo, quickly taken up by Cian making further inroads. With the opposition defence scrambling George fed Harry for the fly half to open the scoring. 3mins 5-0.

The second try came quickly after. A series of pick and go’s under the Hemel posts was finished by David A flopping over. Earlier in the move Patrick had made metres with a fine run. A difficult conversion was nailed by Harry. 12-0 8mins

Perhaps the fast start didn’t help as mistakes crept into the Enfield ranks. An over throw at a lineout was quickly followed by a penalty conceded which Hemel kicked deep into our territory. Good defence from David A, Cian and others initially repelled the attack as did a Hemel knock on when close. Shortly after Hemel moved the ball across the park, but not with real danger. That came in the form of some missed tackles from the boys in blue and gold. The Hemel lad shook off the flimsy defence for a well deserved try. 12-5 16mins.

Generally the game became scrappy and stop- start. Enfield started to be pinged for various infringements which continued in the second and third quarters of the game. This plus a little rustiness from Christmas delivered a performance in sharp contrast to the emphatic, ruthless and very impressive win at Sarries in December.

But despite this we scored some fine tries. Donie jackaled expertly to turn the ball over in our own half. David A, Matteo, George all got their hands on the ball before Harry made the try. His delayed pass to Patrick on his outside drew in the defender. The full back did similar beating the last man with a pass to Ciaran who did the rest. Harry converted for 19-5 after 23 mins. Some of our best rugby followed. Ollie G took a quick line out to Hayden on half way. Cian showed class with a smart catch, spin and quick release to David A who made further ground but knocked on when at the mercy of the tryline. While the try from that enterprising play didn’t come, it did arrive with the next phase. Our forwards pushed the Hemel scrum back towards their own posts and a series of panicky passes in their in-goal area led to a spilt ball which a bemused Harry fell on to score his second try. The lad played well, inspired by his younger sister watching from the sidelines. 24-5 28mins.

The next twenty minutes of the game were disappointing from the lads with a drop off in their standards. A couple of soft tackles allowed Hemel to get in again on 34 minutes, albeit our opponents moved the ball well. 24-10. Then, with the final play of the half we dropped our own line out and then the ball met the turf again before an attempted clearance was charged down and Hemel had scored their third. Had the lads known it was the final play? If so a player could calmly kick out over any line to end the half. 24-15 HT.

Five minutes into the second half Hemel scored their fourth and earned a bonus point. Again a series of pens plus knock ons gave Hemel possession annd territory. After a tap penalty one of the Hemel boys showed good strength to score. 24-20. 40mins. A 19 point lead had evaporated into 4 points in 12 playing minutes. Game on.

The game became more fraught as Hemel sensed the chance of an upset. Enfield continued to fall foul of the whistle and also knocked on or over played in these difficult conditions.

A crucial try from Sammy however came next. The backs tried to move the ball wide. A floaty pass hit the ground but Enfield regathered and got the ball out further left to the speedster. Sammy cut back inside beating men along the way and eventually scored under the posts. Patrick converted importantly to take the lead out to 11. 31-20. 54mins.

We then had the crucial passage of play described earlier that sealed the game on the hour. With an 18 point lead Enfield then ran in a further three tries with simple executions. Firstly Sammy scored his second try after a nice backs move starting with Ollie H playing at 9. Harry converted. 45-20. 67mins. Pure simplicity came next. A direct run from Ollie G In the 3/4 channel allowed him to slip In Patrick to score and convert his own try. 52-20 70mins.

A lovely run from Cian, albeit through the dispirited Hemel midfield, made for a fine individual try and completed the scoring. Patrick converted. 59-20 mins. FT.

A customary word for the forwards. Liam stole a couple of crucial line outs midway through the second period when possession was in the balance. The scrum was overall dominant today so well done to the pack. Good to see David J back on the pitch after injury before Christmas, he put in a couple of well timed tackles. And good to see Samir get some game time under his belt. He cut a lovely line running onto a pass which was promising to see.

We give thanks to Hemel for the game and wish them well for the remainder of the season. And thanks to today’s referee Darren for taking the game on a cold day when a Sunday lie in would have been preferable.

Coach Alfie commented. ‘I think some of the lads looked like they would have preferred to be in bed too but the alarm clock that was the scoreboard eventually woke them up’.

And with that we look forward to a couple of friendlies ahead of the next vital league encounter at Welwyn