An under-strength Enfield Ignatians side made a disappointing start to their London Two North-East campaign after suffering a 42-10 loss to visiting Rochford Hundred.

The hosts’ first-half performance was blighted by poor decision making and a mounting penalty count.

Jordan Wilson provided one of the memorable moments of the opening period as he converted a penalty after Rochford strayed offside in front of the posts.

Ignatians trailed 19-3 at the interval and it got worse for the home side in the second half.

Shaun Engelbrecht, Wes Warren and Shaun Quinn were all sin-binned and Rochford capitalised by adding a further 23 points to run out deserved winners.

Ignatians managed a consolation try from outside centre Tan Mbonu which was converted by Jordan Wilson.

Enfield coach Emile Hertz said: “Rochford were the more clinical of the two sides and practically each time they got into our 22, they came away with the points.

“Their kicker Tom Ashton was exceptional.

“We were 13-6 down at one point but the concession of two late penalties made for an uphill struggle.

“We started the second-half well but the loss of the three players to the sin-bin meant that we were reduced to 12 at one point, and the wheels inevitably came off.”

Ignatians will look to bounce back on Saturday as they make the short trip to Braintree.

Elsewhere, Ignatians Twos completed a resounding 39-12 win against Cheshunt Threes in Herts-Middlesex Merit Table Two.

Andy Roper (2), Christian Adofo (2), James Rawlinson, Steve Taylor and Matt Finn all crossed for the visitors.

The Threes gained a 25-0 default win in Herts-Middlesex Merit Table Three after Tabard Twos failed to fill the fixture.

The Fours echoed the theme with an encouraging 19-12 win over Tring Fourths in Herts-Middlesex Merit Table Six.

Former Colts Miles Wotherspoon, Dave Togher and Nick Saunders all crossed for the visitors.

Enfield Ignatians Under-15s made a victorious start to the campaign with a 26-15 win in a friendly against Letchworth.

The visitors scored four tries via Andy Pavius (2), Conor Gray and Laurence Loo, three of which were converted.