Langan Display Caps Capital Performance

The threes continue to regroup well in Herts-Middlesex Merit Table Three and, although they have still a couple of games in hand with teams above them, progress up the table remains painfully slow, although a ninth league victory of the season again underlined the capacity of a side that certainly knows how to win games.

The respect between the two sides was manifest as it resulted in a tight first half-hour, although predictably the home front row began to assert its authority and it resulted in Old Albanians being penalised by the referee for standing-up during the scrum.

Ignatians were the first to break the ice and, after having a score disallowed on 25 minutes for a foot in touch, they responded in classic fashion by successfully executing the catch-and-drive from the lineout which resulted in the outstanding Chris Langan going over for the first try.

The successful James Power conversion further lifted the mood and, with Ignatians in the ascendancy, the gathering strength of the blue and gold pack again proved the source of the second try and, after the home pack had driven to within five metres of the OA's line, captain Bish Galloway capitalised on an excellent position to force his way over to establish a 12-0 half-time lead.

Old Albanians, having dominated the previous fixture 34-20 at Woollams, certainly had their moments and they deservedly claimed a try in the corner to open up the game again in the second-half.

However, it never came to that and, with defences very much on top, a low scoring second-half resulted and, fittingly, Ignatians had the final word in the form of a successful Power penalty.

Captain Galloway said: "The team played some excellent rugby and Chris Langan was outstanding for us. If anything, we probably need to improve our lineout. However, we successfully closed the opposition out in the final five minutes and it was certainly a much deserved win."