A well struck penalty by full back, Chris Kemp, in the last seconds of the game secured Welwyn a well-deserved but hard fought first win of this year’s league campaign, after Enfield Ignatians had stunned the home crowd by drawing level with only minutes remaining.

Mike Hopkins and Henry Fee made their home debuts and with the advantage of a stiff breeze in the first half, Welwyn started the game brightly finding good field position deep into the visitors’ half. The ball was recycled several times and with the defence stretched, prop Will Freeston found some space to release hooker, Ben Solez who took his chance very well to score under the posts. The try was converted by skipper Phil Grehan to give Welwyn a 7-0 lead after only two minutes.

Enfield then missed a tricky shot at goal into the wind, leaving Welwyn the opportunity to clear downfield. Grehan had other ideas though, finding the smallest of gaps and releasing the marauding Rob Picken who fed Dan Ashcroft who was eventually pulled down only 10 metres from the line after a thrilling length of the pitch counter-attack.

Enfield then managed to keep possession for a prolonged period, testing Welwyn’s defence which proved to be up to the job. Welwyn’s set piece performed well with the scrum greatly improved from last week and Chris Sloan was imperious in the line-out. Just before half time, Enfield scored in the corner via a driving maul following a line-out and very nearly scored again straight from the kick-off but their centre was judged to have a foot in touch. From the line-out, Welwyn kicked long and were awarded a scrum in the middle of the field about 35 metres out. Grehan danced through another tiny gap and found Dan Ashcroft via Solez and Carl Lewis and the big centre scored another well worked team try to give Welwyn a narrow half-time lead of 12-5.

TJ Le Baigue replaced skipper Grehan at half time, who was forced from the field with suspected concussion and with the touchline still discussing whether Welwyn had done enough with the wind advantage in the first half, Welwyn scored another excellent try to take the score to 19-5. Adam Harcourt worked the blind side and the ball reached Kemp via Freeston and Solez. Kemp scored in the corner and then converted his own try from the touchline.

Enfield were reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes for reckless use of the feet in a ruck, but Welwyn were unable to take advantage of their numerical advantage. Welwyn declined a shot at goal from a penalty awarded in an eminently kickable position preferring to kick for the corner in search of their fourth try and a bonus point. Enfield’s defence held out, however, and the pressure was released when Freeston was penalised for offering one piece of advice too many to referee, Ian Cumming. Coaches James Coles and Gareth Hughes then emptied the Welwyn bench with Joe Burns coming on for his 100th 1st XV appearance and Dan Comben replaced Hopkins.

With only 10 minutes remaining, Enfield narrowed the gap with a try in the corner from another line-out catch and drive and an excellent conversion from the touchline brought the score to 19-12. Carl Lewis was then yellow carded for coming into a maul from the side and Welwyn finished the game with 14 players. A loose kick out of defence by Welwyn was returned with interest and a two man overlap gave winger Muz Herinath no chance and Enfield scored out wide. Another excellent conversion from the visitors’ full back tied the scores at 19-19 leading to a nail-biting finish. Deep into injury time, Welwyn were awarded a penalty nervelessly converted by Kemp to seal the win.

Man of the Match sponsored by The Steamer was deservedly won by Ben Solez who had an excellent game in both the tight and the loose. Welwyn travel to Old Haberdashers next Saturday.