Enfield Ignations kicked off their London 2 North East campaign with a thrilling last-gasp 14-12 win at South Woodham Ferrers on Saturday.

A late penalty from scrum-half Jordan Wilson secured the points for the Ignations, who began the new season in ideal fashion on the road.

Playing into the elements in the first half, the Ignations’ cause was not helped by the loss of Richard Laurence, Jet Masere and Frank Stavrou to the sin bin.

Repeated transgressions cost the visitors a penalty try but the Ignations managed to restrict their hosts to a 7-0 lead at half-time.

The Ignations emerged re-focussed and quickly got their first score of the season when Wilson kicked a penalty.

Cypriot international prop Christo Kasabi then forced his way over from a rolling maul to put the away side ahead.

That slender advantage was soon wiped out when South Woodham ran in their second try of the afternoon to re-take the lead.

Two further penalties from Wilson turned the game on its head, though, with the scrum-half’s second effort securing maximum points at the death on opening day.

Speaking afterwards, skills coach Steve Atkinson said: "It was a very rewarding and satisfying win and our defensive structure worked really well."

The Ignations return to league action on Saturday when they host Braintree.

Newly-promoted Ignations Seconds were beaten 43-20 in the Herts-Middlesex Merit Table One, whilst the Thirds were thumped 67-0 by Biggleswade Seconds in the Herts-Middlesex Merit Table Three.