FOOD FOR THROUGHT AS IGNATIANS FAIL TO CAPITALISE AT KEY MOMENTS…

HARROW 33 ENFIELD IGNATIANS 14

Chastened by the defeat against Hampstead, Enfield Ignatians delivered an improved performance away to Harrow, although they were ultimately on the wrong side of the ledger after suffering a 33-14 reverse at Wood Lane, writes Jonathan Landi.

Playing into the wind in the first-half, the visitors struggled to escape from their own half, and they leaked three tries - two of them the product of a poor and naïve exit strategy after carelessly turning over the ball in their own 22.

They also conceded two kickable penalties, both potted by the Harrow fullback, as the visitors, having struggled to get on the front foot, found themselves staring at a 21-0 deficit late in the first half.

Belatedly, Ignatians dragged themselves off the canvas, and the upshot was the awarding of a penalty try, with Harrow having infringed in desperation after the visitors put the squeeze on and gained good traction from a 5m attacking scrum.

Ignatians farmed the elements after the break and, with the penalty count now largely in their favour, they pulled back to 21-14 after Tom MacDougall went over following a good spell of pressure and some excellent carries from the forwards, but hereafter the visitors failed to capitalise on their numerical superiority.

Following the successful Paul Duke conversion, and Harrow down to 13, after the hosts picked up a front row injury - followed by a sin-binning, the visitors butchered a number of decent chances to at least draw level.

Instead, the worm eventually turned after Harrow lifted the siege, and after Ignatians picked up a second yellow card, with Alfie Fordham, in common with Tom MacDougall (first-half) – suffering temporary banishment for a high tackle, this time in the corner, but which probably owed more to mis-timing than anything else.

Given the proximity to the try line, the referee opted to award Harrow the penalty try, and with the hosts’ livewire scrum-half giving the Ignatians’ defence the run around, from the platform of a set scrum, in the dying throes, the home side bagged all five points, as Ignatians, having threatened to take something from the game, were left with nothing to show for their efforts.

The in-form Frank Antwi (seen here against Old Grammarians), having carried powerfully throughout, was deservedly crowned Ignatians’ Lavender Hill Garage Man of the Match, and honourable mentions, too, go to Jake Baker (good carries), and Tom MacDougall and Carl Asare-Anderson in the backs.

Head coach Gary Philllips said: “Our defensive sets were an improvement on the Hampstead game. However, we need to examine our decision making and, rather than forcing things, we need to build more patiently through phases.”

Ignatians host Saracens Amateurs in the league on Saturday (September 21).

Squad (all used): Carl Asare-Anderson, Declan Linnane, Calum Middleton, Sam Rushmer, Alfie Fordham, Tom MacDougall, Paul Duke, Finlay Mackay, Sam Hatchett, Matt Pollard, Henry Sibley, Jake Baker, Euan Renny, Ken Carroll, Calum Middleton,, Frank Antwi, Ken Carroll, Caolan Davey.
Try scorers: Penalty, Tom MacDougall.
Conversions: Pen (1), Paul Duke (1)
Lavender Hill Garage MOM: Frank Antwi