Enfield Ignatians 10, Norwich 0: It is becoming a worn-out clich� but this was a game Norwich could have won had they stamped their authority on proceedings.

Enfield Ignatians 10, Norwich 0

It is becoming a worn-out clich� but this was a game Norwich could have won had they stamped their authority on proceedings.

Key absentees didn't help but Norwich will wonder how they failed to take their numerous chances.

The first clear scoring opportunity fell to Enfield, who had an overlap on the left, but the ball carrier decided to run straight at Andy Warnes and lost possession. Norwich pushed play back into the Enfield half, with the hosts passing the ball down the line. There followed what appeared to be a huge knock-on but Norwich appeared not to play to the whistle and Enfield took full advantage and moved the ball through the hands well to go over in front of the posts to move 7-0 ahead.

Norwich fought back and centre Dougie Greenwood ran the ball out of defence, taking play deep into the Enfield half before the cover got back to halt his progress. Sadly the support was not there in sufficient numbers and the move broke down.

Enfield forced play back into the Norwich half and there followed a frenzied period of defending until finally a Norwich player was adjudged to be offside and Enfield seized what turned out to be the final points of the game.

Norwich fought their way back towards Enfield's line and from a line-out 15 metres out, Ross Adnitt charged up the blind side before being stopped two metres short. Norwich retained possession and passed it out across the backs where a handling error gifted Enfield the chance to clear their lines.

Norwich spent all but the briefest periods of the second half in Enfield territory, with Adnitt again coming close to scoring, this time from a five metre line-out. The pressure continued and Norwich were awarded a penalty 20 metres out almost in front of the posts but Campbell could not convert.

Still Norwich maintained the pressure and their undoubted fitness showed as they continued to pound away at the Enfield defence. They finished the stronger side but once again let an opportunity for an important win pass them by.