A much changed Enfield Ignatians line up proved far too undercooked and the ring of unfamiliarity came back to haunt them big time as their lack of cohesion saw them stumble to a 47-24 defeat to Hampstead at Donkey Lane.

On the back foot for much of the first-half, the blue and golds, despite a brace of tries from Lucas Yoxall and Ryan Browne, one of which was converted by Jake Allison, gave themselves a mountain to climb after trailing 33-12 at the break.

The second half was better as Ignatians raised their game and tries by veteran Wes Warren and Ben Mills, briefly raised hopes as the hosts came back on the scoreboard to 33-24, with the conversion to come.

However, the kick was missed and Ignatians’ chances of a very unlikely rescue mission disappeared fast down the plughole, as two further tries from Hampstead, both the product of poor tackling, saw the visitors stretch clear.

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