Storm Bert arrived in Ruislip on Sunday at about the same time as the Enfield lads warmed up for their second league encounter of the season. In very blustery conditions our hosts kicked off facing into the wind for the first period. We didn’t enjoy the opening minutes. Knock-ons and errant passes from both sides meant the ball was turned over several times. However it was the running game of Enfield that secured the first score.

A run from Patrick down the left was very well supported by Kaiden who was able to carry on the attack. Momentarily we lost the ruck but at the next Ollie S secured the turnover on the ground. Some ‘wafty’ passes from our half backs somehow allowed us to go across the field where Matteo picked up. His uncompromising direct running allowed him to break through the middle to score. (7 mins. 0-7)

We then had a stoppage in play, where the referee asked players to remove their leggings. Quite a draconian show of sartorial restriction but apparently it’s to allow sightings of bleeding. The disruption didn’t help Enfield. Immediately after the boys gave away two quick penalties and therefore field position. Following a line out Ruislip did superbly with their passing and one delightful offload to set up a score in the opposite corner. (13mins. 5-7)

The away fans then had a tense period watching. We knew the team had to capitalise on the favourable wind, yet two gilt-edged try chances were spurned , other less kind journalists may have described them as ‘butchered’. However we needn’t have worried as Adam settled our nerves by picking up from the base of an attacking scrum to score. (5-14 20mins)

Ruislip had some half chances to respond but a knock-on denied them. After that, just like the wind, everything went in one direction! Patrick cleared from our own 22 with a towering kick. Defence was turned into attack soon with our backs now finding their range with their passes. They went coast to coast first before Josh found some room weaving between defenders to score. (5-19. 28mins)

Not long after the re-start Berkay made a terrific diagonal run from his own half. He was eventually stopped but the half backs did well to get the ball out quickly to Ciaran on the wing who dotted down in the corner. (5-24. 30mins)

More lovely passing in the testing wind followed before the break involving all the backs. The flying attack took Enfield to 10 meters out where it was time for the forwards to take over and David J did the classic pick and go to score his first try for the club (5-29 30mins) In the final play of the half we saw more good passing, a briefly lost ball brilliantly won back in a turnover from Hayden before Ollie G ran in a good line for another try. (5-34 HT)

The wind really played havoc with this game and readers may have noticed that 4 of our 6 first half conversions were missed. But a sharp eyed junior reporter also spotted that regular kickers Harry and Patrick were playing ‘rock, paper, scissors’ to determine kicking turns. (judge take note). We can assume they were competing to avoid kicking against Storm Bert!

The second half was always going to be tougher playing uphill, into the wind and with a big lead. Ruislip started the half the stronger with two good runs. But they were often thwarted by superb jackling from our little and large duo of Ollie S and Hayden. The latter was particularly up for it in the second half with lots of direct ball carrying to complement his defensive duties. The game was largely scrappy but we did enjoy a goose step from Matteo and Enfield gradually got back on top. The lads were held up over the line and then one chance was dropped when close. All this ‘nearly there’ stuff came to a decisive end with Adam scoring a no nonsense, classic No.8’s try off the base of an attacking scrum. (5-41 46 minutes)

Enfield dominated again after that score. A great attack from deep saw Patrick pass back over his head to Max, pick up again passing through Josh and Hayden to go from 22 to 22 in an exciting passage of play. Then more nice passing with smart, late passes from Harry and Ollie H beating defenders. Ollie H enjoyed a good second half against his cousin in the Ruislip ranks.

Then on 54 mins we witnessed an astonishing try. Dozens of quick short passes or offloads from one side of the field to the other were made to impromptu cries of ‘Ole! Ole!’ from the away fans. We really could have been in Fiji if it wasn’t for the wind. Ollie S, Hayden, Patrick, Chenitha, Liam and possibly 10 others touched the ball basketball style before Adam had the simple task of placing the ball over the line for his hat trick. It really was Champagne rugby in Hot chocolate conditions. (5-48. 54mins). There was still time for a second try from Ollie G who showed strength and determination plus the slalom skills of a skier to score. (5-53. FT)

A cracking 9- try performance after a slow start and adjustments to the conditions. The passing was impressive and we were blown away by one of the tries of the season too. We thank our hosts Ruislip and look forward to hosting them back at Donkey Lane, Fiji next month.