Actonians ran out 36–7 winners over Enfield Ignatians in a game built on direct forward carries, sharp kicking and ruthless finishing out wide. The scoreline reflected a dominant attacking display from the hosts, underpinned by a disciplined defensive effort, especially during Enfield’s second half resurgence.
Actonians set the tone early, with the forwards grinding their way upfield before the ball was whipped wide to JT, who showed his pace to round the defence and finish in the corner. Soon after, a pinpoint kick from Ben Bell into the corner set up an inventive lineout move, giving Luke Taylor the perfect platform to smash through the defensive line and score under the posts.
The hosts kept their foot on the gas, capitalising on an Actonians turnover as the ball was quickly moved to JT, who slipped through for his second try of the afternoon. The final score of the half came from sustained pressure in the Enfield 22, with a ruck under the posts providing the launchpad for the ball to be shifted to Tom Knight, who spotted a gap and crossed for Actonians’ fourth, closing out a statement first half.
Enfield came out after the break with renewed intensity, forcing Actonians into a much more physical contest and turning the game into a stalemate for the first 20 minutes of the half. Both packs went toe to toe at scrum time and in defence, with neither side initially able to convert pressure into points.
It took more territorial excellence from Ben Bell to break the deadlock, his kicking repeatedly pinning Enfield back and creating attacking lineouts deep in opposition territory. From one such platform, the forwards laid the groundwork once again and the ball was moved to JT, who finished clinically in the corner to complete a well deserved hat trick.
Actonians’ sixth try came from chaos in midfield, as messy play from both Enfield and the hosts left space for someone to step up. Chris Maillard seized the moment brilliantly, pouncing on the loose ball and scorching through from around 60 metres out to score under the posts.
Enfield kept pushing and were eventually rewarded late on, working their way into the Actonians 22 and finally breaking through for a converted try with about five minutes remaining. That score closed the game at 36–7, but it did little to overshadow what was an excellent all round team performance from Actonians, especially in defence when Enfield threatened a comeback after the interval.
Overall, this was a performance built on structure, work rate and clinical finishing, with the whole Actonians squad contributing to a convincing home win and plenty of momentum for the weeks ahead.
MOTM - David James,
DOTD - Callum Gray