Sunday 19th November saw the battle in Barnet as Enfield Ignatians U15 traveled to Barnet Elizabethans RFC for a friendly. With the boys on the up after the last few games, 95% of the team had arrived before the club house was even open to warm up. Club house open and boots on the boys headed for warm up. No slope this time like last week, but with the recent weather, the grass was long and the mud/clay very sticky.

Barnet are a league above Enfield, so we always knew this would be a test, but a good test for the boys and a chance for them to put another marker down. With a couple ill, only eight in the forwards meant that they were going to have a busy day for them, especially when the size of some of the Barnet pack was observed, but it did not phase the pack and the coaches had a couple of backs in mind that could fill in on the flank if required.

With the wind against us, we kicked off and it was game on and an early handling error by Barnet was quickly pounced on and secured by the forwards in a perfect recreation of Wednesday night’s training and it was scrum time. How would our pack match up, well technique will always win out and Ignatians started to pressure the Barnet 22. Probing attacks by both forwards and backs were well defended by Barnet and tied with the mud slick ball causing handling errors, the first ten mins was to be played between the 22’s by both teams. Then using the wind and a kick to the corner, Barnet secured the line out and were the first to score, unconverted, but 5 points down, Ignatians dug in determined to pull the score back.

The game went back to being played between the 22’s with all thirty players on the pitch contributing to their relevant side’s offence or defence. Rucking from both sides was very good and the counter ruck was just as impressive for both sides and the game ping ponged until with five minutes to go a big hit on the counter ruck by one of Ignatians smallest players Jack aided by his other forward compatriot’s, pushed Barnet off the ball, with lose ball secured by Robin and protected by Alex enabled quick ball from scrum half Lewis G to “twinkle toes” James who cut and amazing line to carve through the Barnet defense to score 10meters in from the touch line. Unfortunately, kicking into the wind, Ben’s conversion slipped past the post. A solid restart and the last few minutes where played out and the half time whistle blew with the game tied at 5 apiece.

A half time chat was short and sweet, more of the same determination, but let’s keep the passes shorter due to the mud slick ball and now with wind in our favor, let’s look to get it further down field. Some changes in the backs, it was time to get back to it.

Barnet made a strong start in the first few minutes of the 2nd half and Ignatians had to double its efforts in defense when they crept into our 22. Then with another handling error, Fly half Tommy was able to use the wind to relieve the pressure on our line and the game moved back into the 22’s. Both sides once again probing with forwards and backs alike. Numerous heavy tackles going in with the forwards and some glorious covering tackles on the speedsters of both teams. With no spare forwards, it happens, forward injury in the ruck means pulling on our other scrum half Lewis to play flanker, fortunately, not a problem for him as he plays this position at school.

Fifteen minutes gone in the 2nd half and a big drive from Alex put us just shy of the line, now with a Barnet put into the scrum and 5 meters out, it was up to the Ignatians forwards to show that technique again and win the ball back. A huge well-timed engagement and shove pushed the Barnet team off the ball and then quick ball from Oscar, the wrap around by Tommy and the cut back of our full back Philip put Ignatians into the lead. Unfortunately, no conversion and it was back into the to and frow between the 22’s. About 25 minutes in and with a suspected broken nose and blood dripping, Lewis G is off, our injured hooker/flanker now with knee strapped up is called back on.

Back into it and with just under two minutes of the game to go, the forwards get a score on the board to have something to show for all their hard work as several forward crash ball, solid rucks and then a pick and go by Ira sees him put the ball down over the white wash under a pile of Ignatian and Barnet bodies. Step up Ben to slot the conversion and keep his season average very respectable for a Prop/Flanker. Last few minutes of the game and although Barnet tried to find a hole in our defence, Ignatians hold firm for the final whistle.

A great team performance by all, with everyone giving it their all. Well done to Nyle in his first game as Line Out receiver, Josh, leading the jackal count, in there 2nd matches for the club, Blazej, Alfie, Baris & Joseph as well as Bantshin with his fantastic cover tackles on the wing.

We thank Barnet for hosting a great game and wish them luck in their league season and we will look to try and host a return friendly later in the season.

Coach Darren said “I appreciate that we are still very early in the season, but I am really enjoying watching the boys this year. I believe we are playing more as a team with every player contributing.Alex is turning into a mature leader on the pitch. He really does lead by example with and without the ball.Today, in tricky conditions underfoot, we adapted well to all that was thrown at us. Defensively again, I thought we all won our battles. Our forwards are proving a dominant force. Our backs are looking dangerous with ball in hand and are a solid defensive unit in their own right. I am also really pleased with our decision-making today. “

Head Coach Andy said “Very proud of all the boys today. Great team performance as Darren said. After Barnet got the first try we didn’t give them a look in for the rest of the match. Great defense and we looked dangerous going forward. Can’t ask for more.”

Final Score
Barnet Elizabethans RFC – 5 v Enfield Ignatians RFC - 17

Enfield Ignatians RFC Tries : James, Philip & Ira
Enfield Ignatians RFC Conversions : Ben (1)

Team Sheet. Ira, Robin, Ben, Alex (captain), Josh, Jake, Nyle,Blaze, Lewis G, Oscar, Tommy, Lewis C, James, Phillip, Bantshin, Alfie, Baris, Joseph

Report and Photos: Spencer

Enfield Ignatians RFC

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