THREES LOSE CUP SEMI-FINAL THRILLER

This was a typical cup semi-final and, it hung in the balance until the bitter end, when a late Hackney try
destroyed the threes' dreams of silverware in one final cruel twist, writes Jonathan Landi.

Even still, Ignatians came within an ace, or two, of reaching the final but their pushover over was ruled to be held-up, and with no more ammunition left in the locker, the blue and golds were left to ponder what might have been.

Still, all credit to Hackney. Their effective wide game gave Ignatians plenty to think about throughout the game and the visitors were first on the scoresheet.

This prompted a positive response from Ignatians and our own Flying Dutchman, Dave Korthals, supplied the equalising try after promising break. Not that the score was ever a cakewalk as a helping hand from the supporting Clive Alexander ensured that the openside made it over the line.

The conversion was missed but two successful penalties by Dave Conlan either side of the interval gave Ignatians an 11-6 lead. Up until then it was all going to plan but subsequent events dealt Ignatians a fatal blow from which they never really recovered,