The huge Enfield Ignatians tour contingent travelled to an Aylesford bathed in golden sunshine on Sunday. We were rewarded with a try fest from the lads in blue and gold (yes, gold) in a 57 point win to ease the hangovers!

But the first 20mins didn’t give us an indication of what was to follow. The early exchanges were competitive with good tackling on both sides. David A attempted a couple of characteristic barnstorming runs but was met with firm resistance. His prop partner David J had better luck. A sensational drive up through the middle, coupled with a handoff saw him make several metres before offloading to Chenitha who finished out wide. It was our first clean break of the game. 0-5 7mins

The next 15 minutes was a frustrating watch. Enfield had gradually got on top and the game was largely played in the home sides half. But golden chances went begging. David A broke down the right and then Kian was almost put in by a long pass from Hayden. An Enfield maul close to the line was also snuffed out. Then a stray final pass drifted away from its intended path when the try looked on. Knock-ons and a dubious crossing offence equally thwarted the lads.

More scrappy play continued but finally the speedster Sammy (with his dad watching from his wheelchair) picked up a loose bouncing ball from the hard surface and beat two men in front of him for pace, cutting across to score under the posts. Harry converted for 12-0 23mins. Phew. That was hard work.

We then saw a rampaging run down the touchline from Henry and good steal from Nick. But on 30 mins we got our third try with Patrick sending a dummy and running through a gap to score. 0-17. Then just before the break a good team try. A big Henry tackle allowed Ollie H to pinch the ball on the floor. Cian was off and away, he gave a trademark back of hand pass to Kaiden. The winger had loads to do but he cut in and headed towards the posts. He was hauled down illegally at the tryline, but we’ll give the lad the (penalty) try, after all his dad Steve had a hard time with the WhatsApp bantz today. 0-24. 40mins. HT.

The lads started the second half as they left off the first. Initially we saw a strong run from Ciaran. Then the ball was spun wide to the other side and it was Henry who scored in the far corner. 0-29 43min. We were treated to some nice play in this spell of the game. A jinking run from George through a crowd of players came first before Patrick passed to Sammy to finish off a move. 0-36 46mins.

On 55 minutes Matteo ran it in for a long range try after deploying the old ‘shape to pass’ trick. He was never going to pass! ! 0-43. Enfield still had some defending to do. Ollie S (good to see him back after his injury) did what we does best around the rucks as did Hayden. Ollie H tackled well and stole the ball to win possession for his teammates. Then came Patrick’s second try of the game. Cian with another assist. 65min. 0-50

With this headline writer looking forward to a quip about a 50 pt ‘Bullseye win at the Bulls’…. Matteo went and spoiled it. The camera shy lad set off from a quick tap penalty, he ran over an opponent and sprinted through the middle. It was a lovely way to conclude the scoring and the game on a golden day in Kent. 57-0. 73min FT

We thank Aylesford for hosting us. We also thank Corky, Alfie, Dale and the entourage of helpers, willing relatives, chaperones plus of course the lads for creating the best tour ever once again!