ENFIELD IGNATIANS surpassed their own expectations after pulling away in the second-half to dominate the division higher Saffron Walden 32-19 in their first pre-season friendly under lights at Donkey Lane last Thursday (August 24).

Walden won the corresponding fixture 19-5 last year and, despite a bright start by Ignatians, the pace of Saffron Walden began to tell and one began to fear the worst when two converted tries inside the first quarter fired the visitors into a 14-0 lead.

However, slowly but surely Ignatians found their range. Bringing a lot of quality to their game in the form of some excellent kicking, crisp passing and first-up tackling, they began to halt Walden dead in their tracks as the visitors' supply of quick ball began to dry up.

The successful fightback when it came began on 25 minutes when vice-captain, Dave Gear, ran an excellent line, and this combined to Keir Bonnar's support play, laid on a try for fly-half, Paul Duke, which the latter also converted.

The second-half was all about Ignatians as the fired-up blue and golds kicked-on and added a second try which was instigated by the pack, before scrum-half, Jordan Wilson, out-foxed the Walden defence with a neat dummy close to the line..

A daring chip and chase from winger Ryan Browne sparked the third score, which was finished off by the supporting Gear, as Ignatians led for the first-time in the game on 60 minutes.

Ignatians added a fourth six minutes later when Charlie Hoy forced his way over from close range, and although Walden collected a third try minutes later, Ignatians made the game safe following a penalty from captain Jake Bates and a pushover score from prop Josh Webb.

Jake Bates said: "It was a superb performance and it was great to be able to translate what we had been doing in pre-season training to the pitch. We conceded some silly tries but otherwise our defence choked them {Saffron Walden}.

"I would also like to say well done to the new lads {Kieran Holmes-Darby and Harry Massini} for stepping-up. Hopefully, the result will underpin the new season."

Ignatians face Norwich away in their second pre-season friendly on September 2 before beginning their league campaign away to Harrow on September 9.