THREES TAKE SOLACE FROM THEIR FORWARD THINKING APPROACH

THIRD TEAM: FRIENDLY: SEPTEMBER 25

THREES TAKE SOLACE FROM THEIR FORWARD THINKING APPROACH

ENFIELD IGNATIANS IIIs 19 SARACENS AMATEURS II 69

The final score hints at a mis-match with Ignatians’ predominantly forward orientated side given the run-around by a fleet-footed Saracens Amateurs IIs, and there’s no disputing the magnitude of the final score-line which told its own story at the Donkey Lane arena, writes Jonathan Landi.

However, the bigger picture, and it’s a triumph of sorts, and one indicative of the commendable behind the scenes efforts of Ken Carroll and Steve Renny, is that the club did very well to get a side out at all, particularly as the club had to postpone the second and third teams games on September 18.

There’s nothing sinister here and it’s simply the reflection of what’s happening at grass roots’ level in the community game as, the sport, like
other sectors of the economy, and the shortage of HGV drivers, springs to mind, is having to come to terms with the scarcity of players, as a number have drifted away from the game in the wake of the pandemic.

It’s a situation that demands patience and foresight, and mid-week uncertainties surfaced aplenty as Hitchin IIIs gave notice that they were unlikely to fill their league fixture against Ignatians for the above stated reasons. Hence the blending of a mainly threes’ side with a sprinkling of those from the twos.

Still, Ignatians moved heaven and earth to secure a replacement fixture against Sarries, having gone on the exchange, but even then they were far from home and dry, as the fickle hand of fate continued to conspire against them, as two members of the squad cried off at 2pm!

Ken Carroll’s badly frayed nerves were again put to the test as the team found itself reduced to 13 – an hour before kick-off. Happily, two players answered his Mayday text, and well done to Jamie Newport and Johan for stepping up to the plate.

Despite the scale of the defeat, Ken Carroll was a reasonably happy if relieved man. “A lot of the players hadn’t played for two years due to the pandemic, and this was a great way for them to be reconnecting with the club, and build their fitness levels. Mainly a collection of forwards, we were dominant in that area and we scored three great tries via Paul Duke, Jake Baker and Johan.

“We had our ex first teamer, Wes Warren, playing in the centre, although we had to readjust again after 15 minutes, as he was forced off after breaking his wrist, and even Jamie Newport (a forward by trade), was out on the wing. Richard Carroll (quad) also departed injured.

Keir Bonnar, having retired from first team level but back in contention as regards playing for the twos/threes, also had a decent game.

Still, Ignatians’ beleaguered playing resources just about managed to steer themselves through the 80 minutes, and KC remains optimistic that solution, in part, can be remedied via the pooling of playing resources.

He added; “We had a couple of players come down from other clubs which bolstered our playing resources, including Ben Roberts, who was our Man of the Match, and I similarly would be prepared to play for other clubs if the need arose.”

It’s an interesting concept and, as for the situation this coming weekend regarding the league games against Hertford IIIs and Cheshunt, SR and KC are already on the case, and their sensible, pragmatic approach will entail first taking stock of playing resources, before embarking on a course of action coming this coming weekend.

Fielding two teams is no mean feat in the current climate and, with playing resources forecast to rise steadily (but not necessarily spectacularly), the club can be reasonably optimistic, but we’re not there yet and clearly there’s work to be done before we return to the pre-pandemic levels of being able to field three teams. Still, it’s a start…