SEPTEMBER 6

ENFIELD ACADEMY 24 CHESHUNT COLTS 24

The Enfield Academy Side, boosted by an influx of the title winning U16s contingent, made a promising start to the season after forcing a 24-24 draw with Cheshunt in a full-on Derby at Donkey Lane (September 6).

Both sides scrapped mightily for every blade of grass, but it was Cheshunt which were the slicker of the two sides in the early stages after forging a 12-0 lead, with both their backline and forwards getting in on the act.

So it was something of a relief when successive tries by Ben and Micah handed them a lifeline back into the game.

However, an increasingly confident Ignatians did get sloppy at times and a telegraphed pass on their own 22, saw them fall 19-12 behind on the scoreboard after Cheshunt tucked away the interception opportunity.

But the work ethic and resolve of Ignatians was never in question and, not for the first time in the game, they again drew level after setting up Thomas Giddins in the corner.

A veritable arm wrestle and a fight to the finish ensued, but Ignatians certainly hindered their cause by conceding too many penalties, and with their discipline found wanting and in the aftermath of them missing a penalty, Cheshunt struck via their fourth try.

Time was starting to run out but, at the death, Ignatians managed to retrieve the situation by camping close to the Cheshunt line by pouncing on a loose lineout deflection with the excellent Ira, who carried well throughout the game, gaining his due reward by claiming the touchdown.

Having drawn level at 24-24, Ignatians had a chance to win the game only for Emmanuel, who had landed one of Ignatians’ two earlier conversions, to be wide of the mark on this occasion.

Still, had the kick sailed over, it would have been rough justice on Cheshunt. Neither side deserved to lose, and the commendable resilience shown by both teams underpinned the fact that a draw was a fair result. So it should be interesting to monitor the progress of both teams in the coming weeks.