For the second game in a row Enfield were pipped by conversion points as they lost their tour match in Medway 14-12 on Saturday. Again the loss was a little harsh on the squad who all enjoyed some game time in their sunshine tour of Kent-sur-la-mer.

It was the home side who started the brighter in Medway. For the first 10 minutes Ignatians had to defend in their own half. But good defence prevailed with solid hits coming in from Liam, Ollie S and Henry against a home opposition who had some big ball carriers.

Pressure was relieved by a fine break lead by Ciaran up the right flank. Then Ollie G, who had a terrific game, danced forward through the defence before Hayden reached for the line. Like last week the big Lock was denied by the referee. Enfield however were warming to the task Cian took on four players on his own before the ball was spread wide. Josh, who ran well all morning used the teammates on his outside to good effect by dummying and heading for the line to score. 13mins. 0-5

Back however came Medway for a deserved leveller. A couple of soft tackles were broken allowing our hosts to get within range too easily before they scored. All too similar to last week’s soft try concessions too. 18mins. 7-5

An excellent deep kick off from Harry H however got us immediately back on the attack. A good chase and turnover ensued. Olly S (whom played well before an injury) gathered a loose ball. Hayden ran on nicely to a short pass from Ollie H. Shortly after the ball came back right to left and a well timed pass from Hayden gave Sammy the space to score. An excellent conversion in the wind from Harry H put Enfield into the lead. 7-12. 21min

The rest of the half was pretty even. Enfield’s pack was very good at scrum time winning a scrum against the head. Liam won the ball from a Medway line out. Ollie G also made a strong run from deep in his own half to clear the danger. But alas a couple of soft tackles allowed the Medway centre who was their player of the match to glide through to score. The easy conversion put Medway in front at the break which was a fair reflection of the play. 14-12. HT.

The second half produced no points for either side. Something that has never happened involving our under 16’s and summed up a frustrating half for the tour side. Enfield were the better team and most of the action took place in the Medway half.
However Medway defended well and made good use of the boot to clear upfield on numerous occasions.

Enfield were also a little error strewn and prone to coughing up possession as quickly as they had won it. There were some bright moments including an excellent break from Donie and kick through plus seeing Chenitha burst down the touchline. Teddy made a couple of big tackles to halt rare Medway attacks. Josh, backs man of the match Donie and Cian all made a series of breaks to get Enfield on the front foot. But there wasn’t the continuity in the attack that we are used to seeing.

Enfield did have a chance to win it with a plumb centre Penalty on the 22. In hindsight a shot at the posts was the right call, but we didn’t take it. Did the lads discuss it but decline it because of the wind? Did they ask how long was left on the clock? Did they know that if they miss they will get the ball back from the drop out. Have they ever gone for 3 points? Were players and coaches aware there was no-one on the pitch who had taken a place kick this season ? A learning for next year perhaps but meanwhile ask Mike about it in the club house;)!

Frustrations continued in the last quarter of the game. Despite being very clearly warned by Sir to 'keep it clean' before the game(and rightly so!), Enfield were penalised for colourful language from our scrum half towards his own players which was a rather more flagrant version of ‘would one of you chaps be a dear and pick up the ball’. There were one or two more that sent fans looking for their RFU rule books. One of which is known as the 'squeeze ball' technique. Henry had got to a metre short of the try line but penalty was given against him for squeezing the ball through his legs while on the floor within the ruck. It’s allowed in the adult game but not under 18’s - every day is a school day and having subsequently covered that particular Law at length in the post match huddle with the players and at the post match refreshments with the parents, that will hopefully be one that the coaches will not need to revisit on the training paddock.

So that was it. A marginal tour defeat. FT 14-12. Day 3 of Tour sees us finish the season as we started with some short format rugby in Kent. We give thanks to excellent hosts Medway who spoke incredibly well in the clubhouse afterwards. Gifts were exchanged and the Ignatians tourists, bolstered by some club blazer wearing ‘old farts’ looked on lovingly and approvingly.