Argaum, on the whole this season have been blessed with good weather, but this wasn't the case this morning on Bickleigh Down for the annual contest between two teams flying high in their respective divisions. The weather was torrential. Persistent heavy horizontal hail meant that only the bravest of supporters stayed to watch.

Despite the conditions, both teams were determined to keep the ball alive and as a result the game kept enough pace to keep the players warm. The game of three thirds saw an evenly contested first period with early pressure coming from Argaum. The rearranged back line couldn't breach the big OPM midfield. Just before the break, after the old boys had worked their way back into the game, a quick penalty on Argaum's 22 saw the defence slacking and the OPM openside burst through to open the scoring.

The second third saw OPM step up a gear and strong running and good recycling of the ball kept OPM on the front foot. Some individual breaks from Argaum captain for the day, Jake Turfrey and a surprisingly spritely Steve Reeves kept Argaum in contention, but with three tries scored in that period, the game was ebbing away. Kal Bloomfield took a nasty knock to the face and Mark Handley got ko'd.

The weather seemed to relent slightly toward the end of the game, albeit still as bad as you could imagine. Tom Belli showed his versatility having returned from university, playing hooker, but popping up on the wing for some good interchanges with his younger brother Owen Belli. Argaum found their feet again and their reward came after stealing a scrum against the head on the OPM 22 and Stuart Quarterman picked up from 8, beat the scrum half, flanker and fly-half only to get tackled on the line. Luckily, the referee, Rob Guy saw Quarterman skilfully put the ball behind his back and touch the post to score the try. The dropped conversion was put away no-nonsense by Quarterman.

The ground held up well and drainage on the pitch seems to be as good as ever. The game was played and contested fairly, in the correct spirit and after holding the Boxing Day Trophy for two years, Argaum's captain, Turfrey presented it to Mark Turner in the clubhouse after, where beer was sunk and songs were sung.

Next, a club game on New Year's Day, at Argaum. Members of fellow combination clubs welcome. 1pm ko.