Enfield Ignatians really picked up the pace after a very slow start and, although they finally wound up seventh in Counties Two Herts-Middlesex, they will reflect that they were only a few points shy of securing a mid-table finish, writes Jonathan Landi.

Head coach Gary Phillips had targeted ten wins and, yet again, the blue and golds weren’t a million miles away, having won eight and drawn one of their 20 league games, which has to be seen against the backdrop of a very poor start.

In equal measure, four of their losses, which could so easily have been translated into wins, were by seven points or less.

Still, Ignatians lost their initial five games, which plummeted them to the wrong end of the table, before gradually turning the corner, with pre-Christmas wins against Tabard, Verulamians and Harrow sparking the revival.

However, it was in the New Year when Ignatians really picked up the pace, having ended January unbeaten (two from two), with February (nine points from 15), and March (11 points from 15), also proving very productive months.

Going to the final day, Ignatians had moved up to sixth – only to be leapfrogged by UCS Rugby following the latter’s victory over St Albans – although they did give good account of themselves following the 52-26 defeat away to champions Hampstead.

The visitors, having been humbled 47-0 by the same rivals last September (2024), didn’t leave north-west London empty handed, having secured a losing bonus point by virtue of running-in four tries via Frank Antwi, Sam Hatchett, Wes Chase and Matt Pollard.Jack O’Toole added three conversions.

Captain Euan Renny said: “The Hampstead game showed how far we have come as a side. We’re building towards the future and are only going to get better and better.”