The ENFIELD IGNATIANS U16s side, fired by a very dynamic display from four try-hero Ryan Browne, continue to look the part and they did well to overcome Essex two side Harlow in a 29-27 away thriller at Ram Gorse Way, writes our special correspondent Aidan Hall.

Given a huge shot in the arm by the titanic display against first division side Harpenden the previous week, a perhaps over-confident Ignatians were lackadaisical in the early exchanges as Harlow made their renowned physicality pay by going 12-0 up.

Although there was an element of good fortune in one of the scores as the referee failed to spot a glaring forward pass.

However nothing fazes Ignatians, and the visitors stormed back via the bustling number eight Aaron Doe, following some excellent interplay between backs and forwards, before the speed merchant Browne dotted down under the posts (converted by Paul Duke) to level the scores.

But the red men of Essex continued to be a handful on their own patch and excellent retrieval work from the restart by the Harlow pack underpinned the try that gave the hosts a 17-12 half-time lead.

Coach rob madle rung the changes at the break and his side were soon back on level terms after the exciting left-winger Browne claimed his second try after leaving his opposite number for dead.

Harlow continued to take the game to Ignatians, and after pinching a strike against the head, the Essex side regained the good lead following some good handling by the backline.

A stung Ignatians reacted in the best possible fashion by redoubling their efforts in an occasionally feisty encounter which saw the talented Harlow fly-half sin-binned for ten minutes following a dangerous tackle.

The two mid-fields also tackled themselves to a standstill as mistakes abounded, but Ignatians flourished in the de-structured environment and two stunning strikes from Browne were to prove decisive in the overall context as the visitors went 29-22 in front.

The third 'Browne' try was the product of some quick-thinking by scrum-half Tim O'Toole, who ran a quick tap penalty, whereas sterling work from the Ignatians' centres were instrumental in setting up the fifth try which was decisively converted by Duke.

In a game of twists and turns, Ignatians had to loan Ben Bruce for the final ten minutes as a mounting injury toll in the Harlow ranks saw them run of replacements.

Pesky Harlow never gave up and will they will reflect that they could have tied the game, had they converted their fifth and final try after the ball went loose. But it wasn't to be as the visitors held firm.

Coach Madle said: "It was another example of never say die attitude. The boys stuck at it for 70 minutes and I'm proud of the whole team.

"paul duke controlled the first half well and Kealan Foye played well in the centre. There were lots of good all round performances. I would like to thank Ben Bruce for helping Harlow out in their hour of need. And well done, of course, to man of the match Ryan Browne who scored four tries."

These are exciting times for the Ignatians U16s and they are looking forward to staging an international tournament, which features Belgian visitors Ottignies and Cheshunt, at Donkey Lane on Sunday |(October 31).