NOVEMBER 8: ENFIELD IGNATIANS 14 FINSBURY PARK 53

ENFIELD IGNATIANS delivered their second consecutive poor performance, and consequently the one-time leaders of the Counties Two Middlesex table have slipped further in the rankings to sixth following the 53-14 drubbing inflicted by Finsbury Park.

Although never at the races, ill-disciplined Ignatians, operating off starvation rations in terms of possession, were still staring at a manageable 15-0 first-half deficit despite conceding multiple penalties.

However, any notion that things were about to improve in the second-half were quickly turned on their head. Instead, the wheels came off badly as Finsbury Park ran amok and the visitors were out of sight with 15 minutes to go after increasing their lead to 46-0.

By now playing largely for pride, Ignatians belatedly awoke from their torpor and they rallied after William Bruce made good yardage after snaffling a loose pass, which helped set up Liam Horn after the hosts successfully recycled possession

Although it was a meagre consolation, Ignatians also had the final word and, after carving an overlap in broken play, Alfie Fordham scored out wide, with Paul Duke adding his second conversion.

Declan Linnane was the Mary Madden’s Man of the Match.

Fly-half Paul Duke: “Overall, it was a very disappointing performance. We lacked physicality and our set-piece was weak. Finsbury Park had the rub of the green generally but we were very poor. It was our worst performance of the season and we will be looking to bounce back in two-weeks’ time (November 22).”

Team: Adam Moorley, Alfie Fordham*, Curtis Young, Ethan Renny*, Jack O’Toole*, Paul Duke*, Dan Shaw, Finlay MacKay*, William Bruce*, Ken Carroll, Henry Sibley*, Calum Middleton*, Frazer Briers*, Liam Horn*, Sam Rushmer, Sam Bucknall*, Rondel Bernard, Declan Linnane*.

Try scorers: Liam Horn, Alfie Fordham.

Conversions (2): Paul Duke.

Mary Madden's Man of the Match: Declan Linnane.