Sat 15 May 2021, 15:00
Enfield Ignatians, who play a League higher than Hendon, fielded a near enough 1st XV in this final fixture for combined 1st and 2nd XVs from local Clubs playing Adapted Laws Rugby with no scrums or mauls but full tackling.
Hendon looked to be on the back foot before kick off, with many of their 1st team squad injured from the previous fixtures; in fact there were only 3 forwards and 4 from the backline making up the team supported by regular 2nd team and new players.
From the kick off, Hendon played with the slope advantage and put the visitors under immediate pressure, who conceded a penalty after 10 mins on the 5 metre line for forward Nick Andrews to collect and score from short range with Cian Hynes converting for a 7-0 lead.
However, five minutes later Enfield attacked up field and through an overlap move put their left winger in to score under the posts to level the scores at 7-7.
Chris Kiyingi set up the next Hendon score with a fine carry through the centre taking four opponents to stop him with scrum half Dobby Wildman feeding JT Moncher to score in the corner taking the score to 12-7 midway through the 1st period. However, again Enfield came straight back with their heavier forwards crashing through the Hendon defence allowing their fly half to finish off under the post with a converted try taking the lead at 12-14.
A determined effort from the home outfit finished off with a text book training ground score out wide by Moncher with Hendon Coach Phil Smith delighted to see one of his training moves executed in fashion; Hynes then converted from the touchline and Hendon were back in front 19-14.
Hendon maintained their off load format with Hynes setting up the next attack, with Rob Casey collecting to make the final pass to Man of the Match Andreas Romero to score on 35 minutes with Hynes converting and Hendon were 26-14 ahead at the turn round.
Into the 2nd period and Hendon were up the slope into the Enfield 22 but resilient defence by the visitors kept Hendon at bay. Pack leader for Hendon Rossa Dooley put in another great performance with many turnovers from tackles and Romero taking on forwards twice his size as tackle after tackle from him stopped the more physical Enfield outfit from scoring.
However in to the last 15 mins the relentless forward play by Enfield won over the spirited Hendon defence as one of their props eventually scored from 5 metres to close in on Hendon at 26-21. Hendon were now under constant pressure and a long kick by Enfield gave them pitch position for their forwards to set up the next score from short distance to take the lead at 26-28. Although Hendon took the play back up field it was Enfield kicking long again from defence which caught Hendon in attack attempting to take the match and Enfield ran in the last move out wide to score in the corner for a final score-line of 26-33.
Quoted Hendon Captain of the day Cian Hynes “ As a Club, to know that I could walk out on the pitch with anyone and to see the level of effort and passion was nothing short of inspirational.”
Coach Smith also added “ Club players train together every Wednesday evening at Saracens StoneX Stadium and hence all know the moves we have perfected which is hugely satisfying going forward for both our senior XVs. Let's all look forward to next season when Rugby returns to normal”
HENDON SEVENS
This Saturday sees the conclusion of the extended season when Hendon hold their 66th Annual 7s tournament with 16 teams competing, including local 7s squads from Hendon, Belsize Park, Kilburn and Finchley and others from around London. The 7s get under way at 12 noon with the last final of 4 commencing at 5.30 pm.
