It speaks volumes for the gathering strength of the U15s squad, that even with eight players missing through injury or illness, they still had the firepower to subdue a spirited Harrow side which kept the blue and golds honest, and particularly so in the first-half, writes Jonathan Landi.

Neat interplay at the front of the lineout involving hooker Zack Spencer and Man of the Match Akin James, created the platform for the first try, and with the latter successfully reappearing for the second time in the movement by forcing his way over, they led 5-0 with the game barely a few minutes old.

However, the blue and golds rather lost their way after that and, although they continued to win some good ball, their back-play was rather telegraphed and imprecise. They also conceded some cheap penalties and, consequently, their momentum stalled.

The blue and golds' failings gave hard-tackling Harrow hope and an excellent carry from their number eight, allied to some weak tackling from the hosts, let in the visitors for the equalling score as the two sides reached the interval locked at 5-5.

Coach Colin Pennicott rung changes at half-time and also instructed his side to up their work-rate. Their was also an impressive vocal contribution by Akin James as his leadership qualities came to the fore.

The verbals had the desired effect as what emerged after the interval was a far tighter and fit for purpose Ignatians, and one in which the big ball carriers in the side, James, Anthony Cabaco (introduced late in the first-half) and Jack Cook-Smith, left a big imprint on the game.

All three were heavily involved in the build-up to the second try. Indeed, Cabaco, a day shy of his 15th birthday, must have thought that he had scored after he forcing his way over from close range but the try was disallowed as the ball was ruled held-up.

However, Ignatians, on the Harrow put-in five metres from the line, and with their front row very much in the ascendancy, put in a might shove and drove the visitors clean off the ball on their own strike; a hard carry from James did the rest which, with the Dan Redding conversion, gave the hosts a 12-5 lead.

Ignatians also had more direction in the backs in the second-half and, with Ryan Loo switched from centre to fly-half, they also proved more effective in this area. Indeed some quick-thinking from Loo was instrumental in setting-up winger Karyiek Dixon for the third try.

The fourth try was very much a carbon copy of the second. Again, the good body positions of the forwards took play deep within Harrow territory, before the visitors' pressurised set-piece again creaked as Ignatians cheekily pinched another against the head some ten metres out.

This was to prove the cue for another forceful carry from the back of the scrum by Akin James. Not that this was plain sailing, but the Middlesex county player showed some nifty footwork as he eluded the despairing clutches of four defenders before forcing his way over for the converted fourth try.

A number of Ignatians players showed up well. The front row certainly won its spurs and the backrow, too, rose splendidly to the occasion. One must also herald a very dynamic showing from Matteo Ferrari, whose work-rate around the paddock was impressive.

Coach Colin Pennicott: "We will be turning our attentions to the London Welsh game after the half-term break. They were the only side to beat us in the league last season and we went up together {from the fourth division}.

"We will also be aiming to do well at the Harrow Tens Tournament. We won the plate final in this competition last year and, on the latest evidence, some tough calls are going to have to be made before the final squad of 18 is selected. "