Middlesex Rugby
Middlesex Cup
Final result and report
Enfield Ignatians v Civil Service.
MIDDLESEX CUP FINAL: APRIL 6
CIVIL SERVICE 41 ENFIELD IGNATIANS 8
Well, there was no way that Enfield Ignatians, on one of the biggest days in the Club’s history, was going to let a few snowflakes spoil the occasion. With everyone pitching in the snow was cleared and the pitch was in good nick ready for the arrival of Civil Service. Unfortunately, what the snow couldn’t do the men from London 1 could. Although never easy in the end the overall strength and organisation of Civil Service saw them through to a thoroughly deserved 41-8 victory. Never having won the Cup before they were quite rightly delighted to take the spoils.
Having pulled out all the stops to make sure the pre-match entertainment was top notch – excellent programme, song sheets, superb buffet for the alickados – the match itself was ultimately disappointing for the very large and enthusiastic home crowd. Ultimately because for 25 minutes Enfield Ignatians gave as good as they got, pressurising Service at every opportunity but without really threatening their line. Early on a strong blind side run by Linehan of Enfield Ignatians threatened but was snuffed out. Civil Service for their part slowly worked their way into the game: a strong run by the centre, Sumner, a threat all afternoon; a 30mtr catch and drive by the forwards – a feature of their play throughout. The first score came from the same, a copybook catch and drive from a line out near the Enfield Ignatians line ended with Faleono, on as a blood replacement at 8, diving over unopposed in the corner. An excellent conversion by the 10, Easton, and Civil Service were 7-0 to the good. Enfield Ignatians almost hit back immediately when the no 10, Mansfield, sliced through the Civil Service defence and rounded the full back only to be hauled down just short of the line; a turnover ensured nothing came of this. Civil Service then set up a try scoring opportunity only to lose it with a poor final pass. They continued to press as half-time approached and were rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts which Easton converted 10-0. The spectators now had half an eye on the bar but the referee was not ready to send them on their way just yet. It seemed a good decision for Enfield Ignatians because in the 46th minute they were awarded penalty some 40 mts out. Up stepped the full back Moore and Enfield Ignatians were on the board: 10-3. Half-time? No. Play continued and, probably not the crucial score but deflating for Enfield Ignatians after their efforts, another catch and drive from a line out saw Walker crash over for Civil Service, the conversion was missed. After 49 minutes of Enfield endeavour and Civil Service composure the score was 15-3. The expectation was that Civil Service would now see out the game without much trouble. But no, a speculative kick ahead by Enfield Ignatians was knocked on by the Civil Service full back, recovered by the Enfield Ignatians chasers and kicked ahead again. With no one at home Lyons, the Enfield Ignatians flanker, who had been lively all day, collected the bouncing ball and strolled over unopposed. The conversion was missed. 15-8. However that was as good as it got for Enfield Ignatians on the scoring front. They enjoyed spells of good possession but really only between the 10mtr lines, they could not get through a very solid and well organised Civil Service midfield; and there was no change to be had from a very physical Civil Service pack with Lancaster and Cimpoiasa to the fore. As the half progressed so Civil Service stretched away, their fitness and higher skill levels proving too much for Enfield. First, there was a classy try from the centre Sumner, angling his run and taking a short pass from Cimpoiasa and outsprinting the defence to score under the posts: 22-8; then No 8 Faleono picked up from a scrum and boshed his way over: 29-8; Sumner picked up a second try, after that good re-cycling work saw the Ignatians defence outnumbered and Lancaster giving Dench, the inside centre, a short pass for an easy run in: 36-8; finally, in added time, Robinson scored in the corner.
Civil Service had to work hard for the final score, although as expected, had been more or less in charge throughout. However at the same time Enfield Ignatians probably deserved more from their determined efforts. They could not have tried harder but Civil Service were simply too strong in all aspects of play. So, congratulations to Civil Service on their first Middlesex Cup win and a big thanks to all at Enfield Ignatians for making the day a special one for all who attended and doing the Cup Final proud.
