TWOS REAP THE REWARDS OF EXCELLENT START AND QUALITY DEFENCE
ENFIELD IGNATIANS IIs - 26 EPPING UPPER CLAPTON IIs - 21
The twos got their league campaign off to a flyer and the foundations were firmly laid in the first-half when a positive and business-like mindset delivered a tangible reward in the form of more than useful 19-0 lead in the rain which was to prove decisive in the overall context.
In a game in which sides took to the field with 14 players, the experienced presence of Andy Roper was brought to the bear and his sniping qualities came to the fore in the first and third tries scored by the visitors.
In between, Ignatians also claimed their best try of the game following a quality backs' move which resulted in centre Dai Fulcher stepping his man and going over.
Two successful Paul Duke conversions further underlined the mood of determination coursing through the side, although the second period was to prove a much tighter affair with Epping Upper Clapton showing their intent by claiming the first of their three tries.
This only served to spur the twos to great heights and a sterling turnover from Man of the Match Lucas Yoxall proved the spark for try number four, which was finished off in style by Erin Dottin-Wilson who successfully and spectacularly applied the afterburners from his own 22.
Duke added the conversion but later, together with Fulcher, found himself consigned to the sin-bin and Epping Upper Clapton capitalised when the visitors were down to 12 men to land two converted tries which brought the hosts to within five points.
Sensing that the game was there for the taking, Epping went all out for the kill and during one memorable phase, the hosts took the ball well over 20 phases, before a titanic Ignatians' defensive effort forced the knock-on.
Epping continued to come knocking but Ignatians' defence stubbornly refused to yield and there was no way back after that.
Spokesman Paul Duke said: "Our defensive effort was monumental and was a key factor in the win. Carl Asare-Anderson had a good game at fullback and Dai Fulcher did well in the centre. Our two youngsters in the back row, Lucas Yoxall (MOM) and Finlay Mackay, also had fine games"