Enfield Ignatians delivered a stuttering performance after stumbling to a "painful" 13-8 home defeat against Staines at Donkey Lane in London Two North West on Saturday.

Despite enjoying the lion’s share of territory and possession, Ignatians failed to tucked away numerous chances and a 3-0 lead, via a successful Jordan Wilson penalty, was reined back within a minute following a brilliant solo effort by the Staines full-back Andre Thomas-Richards.

Trailing by two points at the interval, Ignatians, playing up the slight slope in the second period, embraced all-out attack mode and, after missing a straightforward penalty attempt, lost back-rower Matt Georgiou, to the sin-bin for retaliation.

Ignatians slipped further behind to another fine Thomas-Richards try, but they continued to attack at every opportunity and were eventually rewarded after Wes Warren burst over for a fine team try.

Ignatians continued to chase the game in the last ten minutes and, even when Staines lost a third player to the sin-bin, they were unable to make the final pass tell.

Consequently, a winnable game passed them by against opponents which had been humbled 49-3 in the cup in September.

Coach Ali Cook said: “It was an object and painful lesson for us. We simply didn’t put enough points on the board in the first half and that ultimately cost us.

"The conditions were a great leveller, and despite controlling the ball for long periods, we just couldn’t finish off, although I can’t fault the effort and endeavour of the players, particularly in the second half.”

Ignatians are away to Old Haberdashers in the league on Saturday.