Fine Margins, Fine Game

A game of fine margins throughout ended with no margin at all and a 12-12 draw with Chiswick in U14’s opening league game.

Enfield started brightly. Nice hands were shown across the backline several times including a smart switch of play from Ollie H who had a great first half. Ollie was also hauled down close to the line after a darting run. Cieran was well tackled twice when close too. Matteo was also denied, only just forced into touch with the try line inches away. Despite all of the pressure and territory we watched a scoreless first quarter.

Eventually the boys got over the line on 16 minutes. All the backs were involved with secure hands, leaving Patrick to dot down in the corner. 5-0.

There were further chances. Both Patrick and Donie were denied when close as Enfield stretched a very good Chiswick defence from coast to coast. An accurate and creative cross field kick from George to Harrison could also have ended in a try. More fine margins just before half time, when Matteo spotted a gap down the blindside. He was adjudged to be short, the player politely thought otherwise. And so as with last weeks friendly, Enfield were ahead at half time but it should have been so much more. Chiswick had barely entered Enfield’s 22 but defended well.

Enfield started what proved to be a more even second half in brilliant fashion. After pulling down a dangerous attack the ball was quickly given to Adam who let fly from his own half. He was never going to be caught but the shouts from the touch line of ‘Under the posts’ were important as he was beckoned over from the touchline. Patrick converted for 12-0.

Chiswick enjoyed spells of pressure in the Enfield 22 during the next phases. The boys choose not to kick to clear twice and following the resulting scrum the away team barreled over for 12-5. 32mins on the clock.

A marginal decision with five mins remaining then went Enfield’s way. This time Chiswick were held up over the line.

We thought the boys had done enough to claim the victory they probably deserved as the clock ticked towards red. Enfield also enjoyed territory advantage in the final minutes. However Chiswick won the ball back deep in their own half and after several phases of play managed to wriggle clear and score beneath the posts. Late, late drama and a nervy conversion meant the game was drawn 12-12 FT.

Always tough to concede late but the game should have been won long before then. A great game, a rare draw and one that on another day would have gone Enfield’s way. Well played boys.