UNDER 13S PROVE A CREDIT TO THE JERSEY

ENFIELD IGNATIANS U13 5 EPPING UPPER CLAPTON U13s 15 (TRY COUNT 1-3)

This was a totally different experience to the landslide win against Watford, but in many ways this was a far more instructive and rewarding one despite the defeat to Epping Upper Clapton at Donkey Lane (May 16).

The U13s are in various guises of development playing wise and, despite being on the back-foot for most of the first-half against the fleet-footed visitors, the excellence of their defensive effort and tackling was never in question.

It was their sheer willingness to get stuck in that kept the blue and golds afloat, and it was only in the dying minutes of the half that the visitors, despite a glut of possession, managed to break the deadlock after squeezing in at the corner.

Ignatians improved markedly after the break and, for one, they were much more effective as attacking force. They successfully outflanked the visitors’ defence and, with the passes also sticking, Luke Roper provided the equaliser.

The blue and golds continued to trade on even terms but, eventually, they were outdone by a sucker punch as, after dropping the ball close to their line, and with referee Kevin Linnane playing advantage, the visitors pounced for a soft score.

The referee warned both sides regarding high tackles and, eventually one too many in this area, saw Ignatians lose a player to the sin-bin, with Epping cashing in on their numerical superiority to put the issue beyond doubt with a third try from which there was no recall.

Still, it was whole-hearted effort from the U13s and they earned high praise from the referee who labelled the team as “a credit to the jersey”.
The side, still raw in parts, have some useful strike runners and appreciate the need to clear out the contact area. Very much a work in progress, their stock will rise subject to them applying themselves on the training paddock, and further match practice.