Threes Forced to Play Second Fiddle after Brave Effort

Captain Bish Galloway cut a frustrated and proud figure after this game for, in parts, the blue and golds played very well. On the other hand, with the game going to uncontested scrums from the start, as the visitors were unable to field a full front row, Ignatians were unable to use the full extent of the weaponry at their disposal.

Some of the failings that had characterised Ignatians' performances this season, and notably a propensity for making slow starts, which had seemed all but eradicated, resurfaced as Hertford's quick recycling game and ability to move the ball away from contact at pace bore fruit in the form of a 12-0 lead after 15 minutes.

However, for the remainder of the half, Ignatians came back strongly and were rewarded when Jonny Cunningham burst over from 15 metres.

Ignatians continued to pile on the pressure and ought to have done better from a glut of possession, and particularly when close to the Hertford line, although some sterling defence from the visitors kept the blue and golds at bay until Bish Galloway, keen for some form of return on the scoreboard, potted a penalty with the last play of the half to bring the score back to 12-8.

The blue and golds fell further behind after the interval when Hertford added a third try to lead 17-8, and were dealt another blow when Hugh Halford was forced off injured on 50 minutes which forced Ignatians to play the remainder of the half with 14 men.

Showing splendid resolution, Ignatians redoubled their efforts and again sighted the Hertford lead following an excellent solo effort from fly-half Galloway. Ignatians were just outside their own 22 and, showing a big dose of Gallic flair, the half-back had the guts to dummy his way past his opposite number before escaping the chasing defence.

The captain, profiting from the sterling service of scrum-half Xavier Babington prior to the try, converted his own score as Ignatians were firmly back in the game at two points down.

However, just as it seemed that Ignatians might crack-on and take the points, they pressed the self-destruct button and, in the ensuing "two to three minutes of madness", it was Hertford who made the game safe by adding three further tries to go beyond recall after establishing a 36-15 lead.

Down but never out, Ignatians had the final say after Andy Davies successfully latched-on to Babington's neat chip over the defence to secure a consolation score.

Galloway said: "It was very frustrating. We had lots of chances in this game and put together some excellent passages of play. However, Hertford proved to be a very streetwise outfit which took its chances well."