Enfield Ignatians suffered a 27-0 defeat at Old Haberdashers in London Two North West on Saturday.

The understrength visitors certainly put themselves about, and although they tackled manfully throughout, struggled to get on the front-foot against a very well drilled Old Haberdashers side which hit the blue and golds for four tries.

Two of these were scored in the first half and were executed in text book fashion from successful catch and drives from the lineout, although Ignatians were reduced to 14 men on the second score after having Richard Laurence sin-binned.

The number eight copped his temporary banishment after Ignatians had infringed once too often at the breakdown, but in many other respects the backrower, the author of some forceful carries, had an excellent game.

Ignatians struggled to get on the front foot and impose their patterns of play. Playing the conditions far better, the home side also tucked away a penalty from in front of the posts to lead 13-0 at the interval.

Although outgunned, Ignatians tried hard to get back in the game. They emptied their bench with Steve Taylor, Dutch recruit Piers Horgan and Carl Asare-Anderson all thrown into the fray, but even when they got in the red zone they failed to make in-roads.

The more clinical Old Haberdashers wrapped up the bonus point by scoring a further two tries. However, Ignatians can certainly feel aggrieved on the last score as the ball was spilled over the line.

Both touchdowns were converted from wide.

The game went to uncontested scrums in the last ten minutes as a result of the sin-binning of Tom Killey for coming in at the side.

Having lost Luke Stack to injury, the blue and golds had no more replacement props to call upon.

Coach Ali Cook said: “Our defence was outstanding and, in many respects, this was a better effort compared to the Staines game [13-8 loss] a week earlier. However, what let us down was our game management.

“Richard Laurence capped an outstanding effort and was man-of-the-match. There are lots of areas still to work on before the next league game against Harpenden.”

Enfield Ignatians seconds also struggled in the conditions after succumbing 54-0 to Datchworth IIs in Herts-Middlesex Merit Table Two.