ENFIELD IGNATIANS U18s proved that they are in good order ahead of the important league game against Fullerians after overcoming the stiff resistance of neighbouring Cheshunt 17-12 at Donkey Lane on Sunday.

In a game in which both sides gave as good as they got, but which was disjointed in parts, the more fluid Cheshunt were smarter out of the blocks and, after running some good angles, were first on the scoreboard.

Very much the slow burners in the contest, Ignatians' initial frantic approach gave way to something more meaningful, as the carries of Tyson Skrypek, playing out of position in the centre, started to tax the visitors' defence.

However, the equalising try owed more to improvisation with Mason Collom-Parker's dart from the lineout and kick ahead, taking play close to the line, before the same player finished off the work of his own creation. The scorer was injured minutes later but the try, although not converted, was Ignatians' passport back into the game as the blue and golds trailed 7-5 at the break.

Key to the success of Ignatians was the ability to lift the tempo after the break, and some neat link play and off-loads from the likes of Finlay MacKay and Frazer Briers took play close to the Cheshunt line. Eventually recycling quickly right, Ignatians had the numbers out wide to do the necessary damage, which they achieved via right winger David Olowofoyeku. Ethan Robinson applied the extras.

Minutes later, Ignatians collected a third try. The forwards carried hard into opposition territory before the supporting, Jacob Wackett, having tracked the ball carriers, took the ball at pace before racing in from just past half-way.

Not that injury-ravaged Cheshunt ever gave up and, with Ignatians' missing a tackle, they carved open up the necessary space to add a second try.

It set-up an exciting finale and, in the final minutes, Ignatians' constitution was strong enough to absorb the pressure as they regained possession and closed the game out.

It was a solid team effort from all members of the squad. In the backs, Conor McDermott, directed operations well from ten, while in the forwards, Nathaniel Clarke, underlined his progress with some forceful carries.

Coach Steve Renny said: "We saw the game out but it took a while to get into the swing of things. We were too flat initially but once we started to inject some pace things started to happen. In terms of what's happening on the field, we can learn that if something is working that we can carry on doing it, but if it isn't we can adjust accordingly. Hopefully, it's onwards and upwards for the Fullerians game."