Threes Come Good When It Matters Most

The happy campers in the threes claimed the notable scalp of Hackney, one of the better outfits in the division, as the visitors exacted a measure of revenge for the home defeat against the same opposition in the first half of the season.

Clearly intent on hiding their light under a bushel, the blue and golds' warm-up was lethargic to say the least, but once the game began in earnest, they were a side transformed and good value for a 10-0 half-time lead.

Captain Bish Galloway sent the visitors on their way with a successful penalty and better was to follow, after Dave French drove over for a try converted by James Power.

The second-half continued in a similar pattern and further tries from Power and Chris Byrne, who finished off a pushover effort, extended the lead to 20-0.

Yet, as so often happens, a job done mentality set in as Ignatians took their foot off the gas, and Hackney profited from the lull in Ignatians' ranks to manufacture 17 points of their own as the game threatened to run away from the visitors.

Happily, the game wasn't turned on its head as Ignatians found renewed impetus in the form of two further tries from Byrne, from a catch and drive attempt, and Hadee Fayaz. The latter made the most of an overlap as the blue and golds ended on a high.

Captain Bish Galloway said: "We nearly threw it away after dominating the game. However, we tightened up considerably when the game entered a crucial phase and the opposition saw very little of the ball in the last ten minutes."

Buoyed by a confident display from promising prop Sam Willoughby, Ignatians will be very keen to convey some respectability to a season blighted by the deduction of six points after failing to fulfil two fixtures, by moving further up the table. Their win ledger is a positive one and they also have a plate semi-final to look forward to.