Many valuable lessons were learnt as Barnet Elizabethans started the new campaign with a friendly at Tabard on Saturday.

Though the game ended in a 59-12 defeat, coach Laurence Smith would have discovered much about some of his new players.

The match was played over four quarters, with Barnet not fielding their best team until the final quarter, when Richard Eaton added to an earlier Dave Daly try.

Barnet begin their competitive season with an RFU Energy Senior Vase preliminary match at home to Colchester this Saturday.

Their league campaign starts the following week.