The U17s got winning in the winning groove after coming up with the perfect antidote to the Old Albanians B defeat in an occasionally brutal, if utterly compelling Derby clash with Cheshunt.

Hardened in tougher arenas this season, Ignatians have been pushed hard by Cheshunt in past encounters, but they set up their stall early in this second and were rewarded for an excellent first-half display after rocketing into 21-3 half-time lead.

Given a buffeting in the tight, as the regular props were missing, Sam Harmer and Ben Pratt, stood up manfully to what amounted to a thankless task in the front row, but in all other respects Ignatians were very much in the ascendancy in the first 40 minutes

Excellent at the breakdown, and enjoying supremacy in the lineout thanks to the dynamism of the two jumper Henry Pritchard, Ignatians successfully managed to get two of their prime ball carriers behind the defence, and consequently the fired-up pair, Conrad Edgar and Aaron Doe, both blasted over for the first two tries.

Ignatians also shrewdly farmed the blindside in this game, and Aaron Doe again proved a key catalyst by not only probing, but also injecting pace, into the move and setting up winger Ryan Browne. The winger still had a fair amount of distance to motor to the tryline, but he appreciated receiving the ball at pace and left the defence for dead.

Paul Duke, a fly-half by trade but converted to scrum-half on this occasion, added the extras as well as using his experience to get his side into some good field positions before retiring injured before the break, which called for some reorganisation out wide and notably the drafting of Henry Pritchard at scrum-half.

Ignatians' defensive patterns also worked well. They managed to push Cheshunt behind the gain-line on numerous occasions, which meant that the green and white attacks were often lateral and ineffective.

The second-half didn't quite match the first half heights as Ignatians eased off the gas. Still, in fits and starts, they looked a decent outfit. They ran some nice lines in the centre where the partnership of Chiekka Okadigbo and Jack Benson proved very solid and dependable, and Kealan Foye also threatened to get through on one occasion.

Cheshunt, to their credit, wouldn't go quietly. They added to a first-half penalty by adding a try of their own. However, from then on the game became niggly and spiteful as players thundered into contact. Settling personal scores and verbal sparring became the order of the day as the game degenerated into a giant arm wrestle.

Not that referee, Steve Smyth, ever flinched the issue. He warned the players and lectured them and, when a step too far was taken, he sin-binned a player from each side, including Aaron Doe. The forward had been spoken to earlier in the game, and was given his temporary marching orders for two un-necessary shoulder charges.

Not that Ignatians were ever in danger of defeat. They were too fired-up for that and coach Rob Madle was pleased with his side's display. "The second-half wasn't as good as the first but a special mention must go for Sam Harmer and Ben Pratt for stepping-up in the front row.

"Conrad Edgar, P J Weir, Kealan Foye, Aaron Doe Jack Benson were others to enjoy good games. The second-half was a bit frustrating and our backline got a bit cold. Still, a win is a win."