The Senior Academy tapped into the Friday ‘night ’ market by hosting a friendly against local rivals, Saracens, although ultimately they came unstuck 38-12 in a game played under lights at Donkey Lane.

However, this isn’t the end of the road, by any means, for this group of players. Head coach, Andy Roper, said: “We have two more friendlies planned and we will be out to win both of those.”

Furthermore, a section of this age group have also successfully transitioned to senior ranks, and they made a splash 24 hours later when Luke Roper, William Halstead and Emmanuel Okafor, all scored for the first team in the 31-22 loss to Finsbury Park.

A bit too loose in the first period, Ignatians suffered on the scoreboard against a mixed ability Sarries’ team when they proved vulnerable to the visitors’ pacey attacks out wide and on the fringes. They were also powerless to prevent a pushover score.

Still, Ignatians had their moments. They managed a couple of close-range scores of their own via Luke R and Isiah, one of which was converted, but they will need to brush up on their laws as they needlessly played a ball which had been destined to roll over the line, and thereby forfeiting the opportunity of an attacking scrum in a good position.

The second-half was much better as Ignatians rung the changes and tightened up considerably defensively with some rock-solid tackling, having limited Sarries to a solitary converted try. They also strung some good passages of play via Lescine but without troubling the scoreboard.

With a discerning audience in attendance, including EIRFC head coach, Gary Phillips in attendance, and a top three finish in their league all but guaranteed, they can dwell on a considerable number of positives. There may be more to come.