Three Enfield Ignatians players, Ethan Renny, Ben Mills and Cairo Sango, all played their part as the Hertfordshire U20s side sealed a semi-final spot in the national county completion by downing Gloucestershire 10-3 at Hoe Lane.
The Easter Sunday clash, in which defences were largely on top, saw Herts, despite operating off starvation rations in the first period, nail victory in the opening 25 minutes by claiming the only tries of the game.
After winning a penalty, Herts deferred to the catch and drive at the lineout to claim their first try by mauling their way over the line in textbook fashion.
The second score, in marked contrast, highlighted Herts’ handling skills after a sublime cut-out pass opened up the opposition defence with the fullback defly finishing off the overlap opportunity.
Herts certainly had their work cut out in defence. In true West Country style,
Gloucestershire had plenty of grunt and grind up front and the pressure enabled the visitors to win a number of penalties.
Happily, for the Hertfordshire Stags, the Gloucestershire kicker had an off day with the boot as he only nailed one of his four kicks at goal. The visitors also knocked the ball on with the line in sight.
However, Herts never shirked the issue defensively. They made any number of important tackles, particularly close to their own line, and weren’t afraid to ring the changes at half-time.
After beefing up their front row, amongst others, which included bringing-on hooker Ben Mills (Ignatians) and James Gallagher (Loughborough University) (prop), the fresh legs of Herts turned the tables on their opponents territorially in the second-half.
Their ability to generate quicker ball also sparked some dangerous Herts’ attacks, but imprecision at key moments, which included a couple of marginal forward passes, meant they were unable to put the game to bed. more
Also able to shut-up shop, when they had a man sin-binned, Herts ended the final minutes on the defensive but their watertight defence saw them through the choppy waters.
Still, it was a very satisfying day for Herts and Cairo Sango, who made some vital tackles, and Ben Mills, a livewire in the loose, doing their bit for the cause in tandem with Ethan Renny who was a key lineout presence.
Ethan Renny, variously deployed at blindside flanker and number eight, summed up: “The boys {Herts} did well and really stuck at it. Everyone gave 100 per cent to the cause.”