Enfield Ignatians ended the year on a high after running-in eight tries in their 49-3 demolition of Braintree at Donkey Lane.

It was a dramatic change of fortunes against the side they lost 29-13 to back in September.

Ignatians Coach Steve Atkinson said: “There were many positives to take away from the game. We had good line speed and were quick to distribute the ball away from the contact area. Our handling has improved and we’re looking much more confident on the ball.”

Only two minutes were on the clock when Jordan Wilson, who was switched from scrum-half to fly-half, put the hosts 3-0 ahead as he fired over a penalty.

Ignatians’ ability to move the ball swiftly away from the contact area, and find space out wide despite the windy conditions, gave Braintree untold problems. The hosts wrapped up the bonus point by half-time after Tan Mbonu, Wes Warren, Jack North and Dan Savagar all crossed the line to secure a 23-3 lead.

There was no let-up for the visitors after the interval as Wes Warren secured his brace following a pushover score from a five-metre scrum.

Luke Ellis then claimed his fourth league try of the campaign, as the hooker extended the lead.

The Blue and Golds successfully farmed the catch-and-drive from the line out.

Given considerable impetus by a sterling performance from man-of-the-match Andy Roper, whose distribution skills at scrum-half were in evidence, Ignatians continued to embrace all out attack mode. Nigerian international, Tan Mbonu, claimed two more tries to complete his hat-trick.

Ignatians had Jack North sin-binned in the second-half but it proved a mere blip.

The side, who now have a three week break, move up a place to seventh. Their next league game is away to Norwich on January 4.

Enfield Ignatians Seconds continue to top the pile in Herts Middlesex Merit table after a 17-10 win over Welwyn Seconds.

Despite a hat-trick from Ryan Browne, and a conversion from Paul Duke, they had to weather some stiff pressure from their opponents.

The Thirds drew 27-27 with Fullerians Thirds in Herts Middlesex Merit table Three.

Chris Byrne, Pete Langan (two) and Bish Galloway, all crossed for Ignatians. Two conversions and a penalty from Galloway ensured the honours were shared in Watford.

But Ignatians Fourths went down to a 19-10 home defeat to Hackney Thirds.

Captain Steve Renny and Peter Davies scored for the hosts.

The Under-15s suffered a rare lapse after going down 12-0 to Chingford in a friendly at Donkey Lane.

The minis were in action at Finchley where the Under-9s won 8-2, drew 4-4 and lost 4-2 against the Summers Lane club.

The Under-7s beat the same opposition 16-14 in a game played over four quarters, while the Under-8s lost the first game 8-6 before going on to a 7-5 victory in the rematch.

Enfield Ignatians Under-11s, after an initial 30-0 loss, performed better in the second game going down 10-0.