Ignatians Let Matters Slip Against Hackney

After the euphoria of the famous fight back against Welwyn IIIs, the ambitious third team experienced a nasty shock to the system against a visiting Hackney side which took its chances well.

In what was to prove a virtual microcosm of the Welwyn game, the slow-starting threes were dominated by a young Hackney side in the first quarter and paid the price after falling 12-0 behind. Consequently, the visitors' strong spine, which was particularly manifest in the backrow and at half-back, flourished in the confusion as the Hackney number eight twice drove over.

Ignatians fought back and, with the ball travelling through several pair of hands, the former first team Player of the Year Dan Linehan executed a well worked try which was converted by skipper Bish Galloway. The strength of the returning Linehan was evident, but the three-quarter was hunted all the way to the line and he later likened the experience "to running through treacle".

The blue and golds continued to pile on the pressure in the second-half and were back on level terms after the industrious Jonny Cunningham forced his way over in the corner in a move which originated from a scrum 15m out.

However, just when Ignatians' threatened to kick-on and win the game, Hackney managed to pull the rabbit out of the hat, and a cheeky if audacious drop-goal from the fly-half sent them on their way.

The visitors made the game safe when Ignatians, not for the first in the game, failed to locate their jumpers at the lineout. A wayward blue and gold throw was seized upon by Hackney and the visitors, having hared 40 metres up-field and, after beating the sparse if remaining cover, secured the final decisive converted try which finally extinguished Ignatians' hopes.

Captain Bish Galloway cut a dejected figure after the game. He said: "I felt that it was a game which we could have won, but Hackney certainly took their chances well. We must learn the lessons of the game and take them on to the next match."