Enfield Ignatians came within a score of toppling the league-leaders Diss but ultimately their much-changed line-up was made to pay for their mistakes, going down 15-11 in the London Two North-East.

Nowhere were the changes more evident than in the pack, where the Blue and Golds started the game with five front row forwards; flanker Richard Laurence having to embrace the unfamiliar role of scrum-half.

Despite this, and having a Luke Ellis try ruled out for a foot in touch, Ignatians successfully farmed the elements to fashion an 11-5 half-time lead following two successful Jordan Wilson penalties and a pushover try from captain Ellis.

The second-half proved a tough ask for the Ignatians. Playing into the wind, they were twice punished after turning over the ball, and consequently winger Doug Moir completed his brace before prop Peter Bray turned the tide Diss's way after galloping in from 35-metres.

Both sides had players yellow-carded after the break and, although Ignatians ended the game on the attack, they just couldn't break through.

Ignatians' head coach Emile Hertz said: "I'm naturally very disappointed. Although the scoreline would suggest other wise, I felt that we were the better side and created the better chances.

"However, Diss scored three tries from our mistakes and the visitors' more clinical edge was the difference between the two sides. Although we certainly had a sniff of winning the game.

"We also had the difficult task of having to put the side together an hour before kick-off. Whereas we had made contingency plans for the expected absence of Charlie Shorten through injury, we couldn't have foreseen a play dropping out at the 11th hour through illness."

Ignatians' are away to another of the division's heavyweights, Chelmsford, on Saturday.

The Enfield Ignatians' Under14s ran riot in the 68-0 demolition of their Woodford counterparts in a friendly on Sunday. In a one-sided contest, the visitors ran in ten tries - nine of which were converted.

However, the boot was on the other foot after Enfield Ignatians Under-13s went down 50-5 to unbeaten London Scottish in Herts-Middlesex Division Three.

Akin James claimed a consolation score for the Blue and Golds.