Enfield Ignatians Senior Academy lost their first game of the season in strong winds and difficult conditions at Donkey Lane on Sunday. The truth is that their opponents Verulamians adapted to the conditions better, did the simple things well and deserved their win. Despite countless knock ons, turnovers on the floor and penalties conceded for offside it was a miracle that the boys in blue and gold could still have won on the last play. It would have been lovely, but harsh on Verulamians.

In the first half Enfield played into the strong wind. And they were pinned in their own 22 from KO. It proved difficult to clear their lines. Kicking would have been difficult unless kept low. Passing and handling was equally challenging but unfortunately we were our own worst enemy, carrying too slowly and upright into contact, often leading to turnovers. Numerous knock ons meant we could not escape. The first try conceded followed us yielding the ball, two carries later and the away side were over. 0-5 8 mins.

The game was scrappy and a little stop start. But the second try came from a good dummy and dart from Verulamians scrum half who took them close before a team mate finished off out wide. 0-10. 27 mins.

We had one good break from our own half from Nathaniel, but otherwise the half was bleak, compounded by injuries to Isaac and Teddy. A ten point deficit in the wind was actually looking mildly acceptable but a clearance fell kindly to the away sides full back who kicked back over the top. He was delighted to receive an outrageous slice of fortune with the bounce of the ball to score the third try. 0-15 HT

The second half didn’t start well. Our own kick off immediately going dead. The wind hadn’t changed direction. Verulamians moved forward and won a penalty. Some of our lads had their backs to the play and we were lucky not to concede. But from our own line out we made a break and scored with our first proper attack. First Sammy dashed off from an unfamiliar central position and then passed to Ciaran on the half way line. He used his pace to score by the posts. Harry converted. 7-15. 39mins.

Now Verulamians had a spell of being pinned back. They also found it hard to get out of their 22. But generally the away side made a better fist of dealing with the wind. The ball was kept quite tight with shorter passes and aggressive low carries. Nothing hugely dangerous but they kept possession better than Ignatians and avoided the game being played deep in their 22. They were also helped by Enfield falling foul of the whistle meaning the contest was largely in mid pitch. After four successive pings a gap was found and the away side stretched their lead. 67mins. 7-22

The game looked dead but Enfield sprang to life for the remainder of the game. We won a penalty 10m out. And George met the requests of the watching home support, missing closer men to give Sammy a simple score with a wider pass. The conversion was missed, taken a long way back in the wind. 12-22 68mins. Soon after we scored again. Once again Sammy. 19-22 70mins

Suddenly with only a 3 point deficit we were into time added on, which turned out to be a lot! A penalty was won by Ignatians on the 10metre line. Sensibly the lads chose to scrum, creating space for the backs. A good decision but a couple of phases later we knocked on and that was that. 19-22 FT.

A good late rally after a disappointing performance. The commitment of the team however was there and they tackled well throughout. Altamash and Baris carried well. The scrum was also excellent and rather dominant although the line out was second best to an organised opposition. Generally the lads will reflect that they just didn’t keep possession of the ball for any amount of time and possession is nine tenths of the law.