Enfield Ignatians delivered an improved effort but ultimately they had to console themselves with a losing bonus point after letting the game slip in the dying minutes, which ultimately consigned them to an agonising 24-17 defeat to UCS Rugby at Donkey Lane on Saturday.

Most of the damage was done in the first-half when the home side, despite the comparative advantage of the downhill gradient, ultimately gave UCS too much room and, with the visitors’ wingers coming into play, they found themselves 10-0 in arrears.

Ignatians also had to suffer another body blow following the sin-binning of scrum-half, Dan Shaw, but, ironically, they still managed to prosper when down to 14 after Jack O’Toole made the successful transition to the nine position, having started out on the wing.

After making good yardage in the middle of the park, Ignatians continued to carry the ball with real purpose and, having sighted the UCS line, Jack O’Toole managed to snipe his way over from the fringes of the ruck.

Fly-half Paul Duke added the extras but, with poor decision making continuing to blight Ignatians’ game, they conceded again before the interval, and so found themselves 17-7 adrift at the halfway stage.

Ignatians certainly stood their ground defensively in the second period and they fought back tenaciously, having signalled their intent by eroding the UCS lead by winning a penalty which was successfully potted by Duke.

They continued on a positive trajectory and, after winning another penalty, they went for broke by drilling the ball to the corner. They also came up smelling of roses as, with UCS fringing in desperation by dragging down the maul, they were awarded a penalty try.

This effectively levelled the scores at 17-17 but, despite a commendable rearguard effort from Ignatians, UCS eventually had the last laugh from a 5m scrum in the dying throes.

The fact that the scrum wheeled provided the cue for the UCS’ number eight to pick up from the base of the scrum and force his way over, which with the successful conversion, left stunned Ignatians with some soul searching to do.

Coach Gary Phillips said: “There were definite signs of improvement, but we made too many errors and our decision making certainly left something to be desired. It’s something we’re going to have to work on. I’m gutted.”

Ignatians are away to St Albans in the league on Saturday.

Squad: Carl Asare-Anderson, Alfie Fordham, Tom MacDougall, Ryan Loo, Jack O’Toole, Paul Duke, Dan Shaw, Finlay MacKay, Sam Hatchett, Ken Carroll, Liam Horne, Sam Rushmer, Henry Sibley, Euan Renny (cpt), Frank Antwi, Adam Moorley, Wesley Chase, Caolan Davey.

Try scorers: Jack O’Toole, Penalty.

Conversions (2): Paul Duke, Penalty.

Penalty: Paul Duke