Enfield Ignatians’ late rally could not rescue the match as Tabard claimed a 31-19 win in their London Two North-West clash at Donkey Lane on Saturday.

Ignatians reacted well to Tabard’s opening try by former Saracens player Gerald Arasa by manufacturing a gem of their own.

The delayed pass by Tom Huckle freed up space out wide and full-back Jack Wilson capitalised on a four man overlap by squeezing in to score at the corner.

Otherwise, it was very much a case of Tabard feasting on Enfield Ignatians’ errors, which were at the heart of the vistors’ second and third tries as the Radlett side reached the interval 19-5 in front.

Playing down the slope in the second period, Ignatians derailed after getting themselves in a defensive tangle and Tabard’s number eight prospered from the five-metre scrum.

The visitors also scored out wide to claim an unassailable 31-5 lead.

Despite giving themselves a mountain to climb, Ignatians kept on going even when the going was tough, and were rewarded by Ben Mills’s probing effort from close range and Hadee Fayaz’s interception try at the death.

Two successful Huckle conversions kept the score respectable.

Ignatians coach Ali Cook said: “I said before the game that the players needed to be able to look each other in the eye in the game.

"I was pleased with the attitude and it was an improved effort compared to the Welwyn game.

“Tabard proved to be a well organised outfit. They were good defensively and they capitalised on our errors.

"We need to build on this and I was pleased with our late rally which enabled us to claim two late tries.”

Ignatians are away to Hammersmith & Fulham in the league on Saturday.

The seconds made it third time lucky in Herts-Middlesex Merit Table Two after Sean Coyne’s late try at the death enabled the blue and golds to snatch the spoils at the death.

Ignatians’ other try scorers were Harry McGuiness, Seyi Adeosun, Caolan Davey. Paul Duke added ten points via the boot.