Enfield Ignatians got their London Two North-West campaign off to a flying start by beating Grasshoppers 41-5 at Donkey Lane.

The win was a big shot in the arm for the new coaching team of Shane Manning and Jack Wilson, who oversees the backs, and the tough away challenge of Hackney now awaits on Saturday.

New Zealand head coach Manning said: “It was a good win and a positive way in which to start the season. We still have an awful lot of work to do on the training paddock but the potential is there.”

Promoted Grasshoppers were last season’s London Three North-West champions, but the visitors never got a lookin as Ignatians, playing down wind, charged into a 29-0 half-time lead.

The elements evened the contest out in the second period and, although Ignatians went through a quiet patch, they eventually rediscovered their mojo by fashioning two further tries.

Ignatians crossed the whitewash six times with number eight Wes Warren claiming a brace. He drove over from the back of a maul before adding a second after selling an outrageous dummy.

The speed of Ryan Browne was also brought to bear on the contest with the flying winger also scoring twice.

Centre Hadee Fayaz and flanker Liam Dunne also had productive afternoons by collecting a try apiece. The latter is new to the club as is Michael Hall, who collected the man of the match award.

Captain Jake Bates further twisted the knife by landing a penalty and four conversions.

The skipper said: “We had a good first-half but we rather took our foot off the gas in the second period when we went away from our structure.

“However, once we rediscovered our shape we got back on track. We’ve done an awful lot of work during the summer and the mood in the camp has hardened as a result.”