London 2 North - Enfield Ignatians 26 Ipswich 13

IPSWICH travelled to Enfield in confident mood following an unbeaten start to the season .

The game did not see a score for the first 25 minutes, during which time the visitors insisted on playing to the Enfield strength which is an impressive pack.

Enfield went 7-0 up but that lead was soon cut back as Tim Hopkins went over in the corner.

Shortly before half-time came one of two pivotal points. Enfield had a player sin-binned but, instead of conceding points, they managed to score an unconverted try.

Then, crucially, Ipswich had a scrum on the Enfield five-metre line and a try beckoned, but the home side’s pack held strong and eventually came out with the ball.

What could have been 12-10 and game on remained 12-5 at half-time.

The second half saw the home side scoring a further converted try with another forward effort from close-range which was replied to by a Craig Burrows penalty.

After conceding a further converted try, Ipswich coach Johnny Breedt rang the changes by bringing on new signing Angelo Shepherd at scrum-half. He also brought on the Goodwin brothers – products of the youth system and of the town.

With the changes came the second pivotal point. Enfield were reduced to 14 men following the yellow card of one of their influential forwards.

Almost immediately, Shepherd scored an unconverted try, however, Ipswich could not capitalise on their extra man advantage and went down to their first league defeat of the season.