Ah September. The sun is still shining, we have packed the kids back to school at last and we rejoice at the return of rugby! After a successful season building more match experience throughout the squad, yet still producing a strong winning record, the team travelled to leafy Chess Valley for the 24/25 season opener.

We didn’t know what to expect. The home side have played in divisions above the lads despite a convincing win for Enfield when the teams met two years ago. We also handed a debut to Josh and it pretty much felt like two new players with Harry H and Matteo wearing Blue and Gold again. How would they settle in? And how would the whole team play after such a long break?

Well, we needn’t have worried as a decent performance was put in by the boys. Right from the off they were at it. Enfield had Chess Valley on the back foot throughout the first quarter. Only some rusty handling and passing letting us down as we stretched their defence. Eventually after a line out, we mauled, then pushed it wide one way, then back again before David scored from close range. 0-5. Our lively start continued with some fine skills on show. . There was a lovely but unidentified scoop pass to Isaac, a great pop pass from Ollie S to George before Harry H skillfully delayed his pass to put in Patrick for the second try. 0-10 Enfield were dominant.

But next came the game's moment of note for the tour judge! Hayden, after a lovely run, appeared so casual as he was falling to the line, he managed to spill the ball. It will be a while before his teammates trust him to carry anything valuable. After that incident Enfield had another nearly moment with Ollie G swung around with the ball coming loose as he was also about to score under the posts. So we reached half time 10 points to the good but the home side had some encouragement that they were still in the contest.

The first try of the second half is always key, and it went to Enfield on 35mins. Cian scored it, beating two defenders as he straightened the attack and drove determinedly over the line. The try had followed the team executing the simple things well, which they did all day. The new line out ‘lift’ worked perfectly, the boys kicked sensibly from penalties to gain territory and mauled effectively too. Harry converted. 0-17. The team also switched from forward to backs play with a good balance. Our half backs George and Harry just saw so much possession and with good hands choose well to stretch the opposition with attacking moves. Chenitha played well on the wing, with two notable bursts down the left in this phase of the game. Despite good drift defence from Chess eventually there was room out wide for Patrick to put in Kaiden to score in the corner. 0-22. 41mins.

The game wasn’t one way traffic. The home side were committed in defence and strong in the tackle. They carried with purpose as well as having one lightning runner crucially hauled down by Patrick. Their scrum also had the better of the encounter. Chess favoured the pick and go and their half backs often didn’t fire the ball wide quickly enough. But they did score deservedly on 45min following a period of pressure and a quick tap and go from a 10m penalty. 5-22. Chess scored again on 57mins from a quick pick up from the base of a scrum but not before Ollie G had scored with a nice run under the posts after Donie had straightened the attack. (29-5 53mins) (29-12 57mins)

The dying minutes saw two more tries for Enfield to put gloss on the scoreline. First Ollie G got his second try showing real pace down the right touchline with an excellent touchline conversion from Patrick to follow. 36-12 (60mins). Then with the clock in red Adam produced a carbon copy run down the right to score, Harry with the conversion. 43-12 (FT).

An excellent run out for the team. Harry played well on his return, Teddy and David saw plenty of the ball in the forwards. Ollie S and Harry DL were secure in the new lineout combining with Matteo and the lifters. Enfield tackled well, carried aggressively, kicked smartly and shifted the ball across the backline securely. The coaches will have seen plenty to work on but they generally and unusually had a sunny disposition on a glorious morning in Rickmansworth.

As the players enjoyed a post match meal, Ollie G was voted the EIRFC Player of the Match by our opposition and was rewarded with a bar of chocolate for his noteworthy efforts. Our thanks to Chess Valley for the invitation to get the season underway and their excellent hospitality.

Enfield Ignatians RFC

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