Enfield Ignatians’ long trip to Norfolk ended in disappointment as Emile Hertz’s side suffered a 22-0 defeat against Diss in London Two North-East on Saturday.

Buoyed by a tremendous effort from the back row of Dave Gear, Richard Laurence and Wes Warren, and fine individual performances from man-of-the-match Jack Wilson and new recruit Charlie Shorten, the visitors disrupted Diss and restricted the hosts to a solitary first-half try from Jack Peacock.

The pattern of play continued in a similar ilk for the majority of the second period. However, Ignatians were unable to keep up their intensity and Diss doubled their advantage through a converted try from John Laurie.

Peacock then made it 15-0 by stroking over a penalty after Ignatians were penalised for hands in the ruck.

As the game neared its conclusion, Diss, who are unbeaten in five home games in all competitions, caught out Ignatians’ flat defensive line and a cross-kick enabled the hosts to apply the coup de grace via a converted score from Warren Wilby.

Enfield coach Hertz said: “It was a very spirited effort and the scoreline flattered Diss.

“They had the vast majority of possession – probably 70 per cent – but our tackle count was huge. We had four key players who were unable to train during the week which has to be taken into account as well.”

It was a weekend to forget for the senior section across the club as the Seconds were comfortably beaten 36-0 by Herts Thirds in Herts-Middlesex Merit Table One, while Ignatians’ Fours lost 31-21 to their Bishop’s Stortford counterparts in Merit Table Five.

Ignatians’ Under-18s side became involved in tremendous derby battle against Saracens at Bramley Road.

The visitors trailed 17-0 at the break. However, a tremendous second-half fight back yielded a brace of tries from Peter Dodsworth, a pushover effort from Lewis White, and two conversions from Alex Bucknall.

Their efforts weren’t enough though, and Ignatians suffered a narrow 24-19 defeat.

There was success for the Under-13s, who clinched a commanding 40-5 victory over Hertford B in Herts-Middlesex Division Four.

There were braces from Akin James and Louis Welby and one try apiece from Jack Cook-Smith and Jamal Daley-Bonner.

Ryan Loo was productive with the boot as he kicked five conversions to seal a big win.