Enfield Ignatians Junior Academy (U16’s) clinched the League 3 championship on Sunday following a real champion performance versus Verulamians. The 27-17 win gave them 7 wins and 7 bonus points, the maximum available from the campaign to claim a deserved and commanding championship! An Impressive follow up to Ignatians unbeaten League 5 winning season last year and resulting double promotion. Some achievement ‘l’s!

The lads headed into this final encounter knowing to focus on the win, nothing else. It was only the parents on the sidelines that were trying to get their heads around the permutations of losing the game to second placed V’s yet picking up a necessary bonus point to win the league!

Whatever was said to the boys in the warm up had a good effect on their fully commited start to the contest. The opening quarter was entirely played in the Verulamians half. The away side had most of the ball but were pushed back by our excellent defence. However each time Enfield won the ball we gave it back too quickly. There was an element of trying too hard and to be too clever which can happen in the big games. Knock on’s or overly ambitious passing coughed up possession. Credit also to Verulamians’ defence. They managed to get enough players to be competitive at the breakdown but yet keep their width too. When we did spin the ball wide their backs handled ours for the most part. This kept things tense at 0-0 through 20mins.

But then came the breakthrough from Sammy wide on the right. YTS trialist and very junior reporter Dave Howley excitedly said ‘that's as good a try as we have seen all season’. He was right, the vital score came after some excellent patient attacking play. The lads shifted the ball neatly around the forwards. Notably Hayden and David A. They cleared out rucks efficiently and went again and again, inching towards the line. Good passes, secure catches and power combined in close quarters. After a good number of phases the ball was shifted right to Patrick and onto Sammy to dot down. Enfield’s patience and maturity had been rewarded. 5-0. 22mins.

Verulamians are a good side. They retaliated through their first attacking sets of the match from the resumption. Enfield were pinned back for the first time but were coping with the runs of their dynamic No.8. Enfield kicked clear from a penalty but back came our opponents after penalties were awarded. From a line out Verulamians put the ball expertly through the hands. As our midfield ‘bit in’ the St Albans outfit worked the ball to their winger to tie the game up. 5-5 31mins.

We knew we were in a contest! Our scrum half said afterwards that the team worked out it was a day to use the forwards. Which they duly did. And the likes of David A and Hayden had immense performances with numerous effective carries, ably supported by the others. Following a great carry from David A, Matteo was quick to pick up and surged over the line with three men on him. He looked too far out to go it alone but with great strength and determination he made it to the line! Harry H added the conversion. 12-5. 35mins.

There was still some defending to do before the break. A vital (unidentified) turnover was secured in midfield and Enfield cleared up the right for Hayden, David A and Sammy to combine again. HT 12-5.

With the game and title on a knife edge the second half didn’t start well with a knock on from kick off. George then hacked clear unconvincingly but effectively and we had survived. Enfield then eased into it showing the same tenacity as the first half.

10 minutes of stalemate was broken by a crucial score. A secure lineout (100% success all game) on the Verulamians 22 was spun wide to the far right where Chenitha threatened but was halted. A tap penalty was taken by Enfield and we used the full width of the pitch through the hands back to the left. Even the organised away side couldn’t cope and Sammy scored his second try to open up a 17-5 lead after 45 minutes.

Enfield were now in the ascendancy. A fine move involving forwards and backs could have led to a great team try but a stray pass went forward. The chance was gone but we didn’t have long to wait. After a great rumble from the forwards, this time Ollie G (get well soon) picked up from a ruck, and like his friend Matteo showed huge fight to drag himself, two opponents and importantly the ball over the line. Great cheers came from the sidelines as the parents knew this was the try that had clinched the title! 22-5. 49mins.

The game become a little ragged at this point. Enfield‘s scrum however was very dominant led by the welcome return of David J. The line out was excellent with accurate darts from Matteo and then Archie late on. We also saw a super dummy move before a short throw and then a chest pass from Ollie S to David A to sneak up the blindside. Credit to the coaches, the set piece game was excellent. In the loose we were good too. Cian had a good second half with plenty of gainline success. And Ollie S showed silky footwork moving through traffic several times, reminiscent of Keith Wood for the Lions 1st Test vs Australia (one for the Rugby nerds).

In the final quarter Verulamians scored twice. Both times the away side were not threatening our line. But from outside of the 22 on both occasions their fly half was in space and cleverly kicked into space behind our defence on our left. And on both occasions the ball bounced kindly for their runner to score. 22-10 54mins. 27-17. 70min.

The final Enfield try of the day came between these two scores and was made by the forwards. Daniel had taken the ball into the 22. A nice switch pass from Liam allowed David A the space to get away and score. 27-10. 59mins. David A was awarded MOTM in the clubhouse and the score capped a superb performance. Though I’m sure he would have been happy to share the award with Hayden who carried so often and successfully for his side in the crucial first half.

27-17 was the final score. A well deserved win for Enfield and a scoreline that doesn’t quite reflect their territorial dominance. Verulamians should take credit for a fine defensive performance and we should take note of how to score from their smart kicking. We also give thanks to our match day referee Darren, especially after recovering from illness. A final word on today’s game: it was great to see so many of the squad there today, many of which did get on the pitch. And even those that didn’t know they played a role across the season. Congratulations Champions, all of you.