HERTS-MIDDLESEX MERIT TABLE ONE

The away encounter against UCS Old Boys II ended in a bitter disappointment as, a side beaten twice by the visitors last season, pulled away in the second-half to record a handsome victory in the opening encounter of a tough league.

Captain Sean Coyne bemoaned a slow start in the opening quarter but, the blue and golds were far more cohesive in the second quarter and led 12-10 at the interval. A Michael Davies try, and a conversion and penalty from Paul Duke, cemented a narrow lead.

The second-half was a different story. Against the backdrop of a malfunctioning scrum and a wobbly line-out, the game went to uncontested scrums after Liam Bonnar picked up a rib injury: thereby exposing the lack of front-row replacements.

Deepesh Dalal also found himself sin-binned for technical infringement in the red zone.

Ignatians' Rondel Bernard claimed his side's try and, this together with a conversion and penalty from Duke's boot, proved the bright-spots of an increasingly darkening scenario.

Ignatians will also dwell on a good performance from Peter Davies at openside, and, on this evidence, the flanker is certainly deserving of further chances at this level.

The skipper didn't mince his words after the loss. "UCS were the better drilled of the two teams. Their pack was better and they had the support carriers. We need to take a good hard look at ourselves but one way to improve is to through training," he said.