Three second half tries were not enough to avoid defeat.

Two early penalties by HARRY EADE gave BE hope but each time the home side replied with a brace of tries wide out as their backs exploited holes in the BE defence. So, it was soon 10-6 although almost all of the play was inside the BE half, often inside their 22. Midway through the half, the V's pack drove BE's forwards some 20 metres, giving them a third try which was easily converted near to the posts. 17-6 became 20-6 right on half time with a home penalty.

Whatever BOBBY GRAHAM said at half-time worked as the 1st XV came out more positively and had a lengthy period deep in the home 22 and even were camped on the home goal line but V's defence held firm. It seemed as if nothing was going to through the home backs when up popped HARRY EADE who found a small gap and sprinted through for a try which he converted. BE's were back in the game, it was thought, but they gave away a converted try immediately after the restart so Vs had another 14 point cushion (27-13). However, BE's forwards were getting some momentum and slick inter-passing released SEAN BLAKE and TOBY SMITH in quick succession for two tries that brought the BE score up to 23 points although a few in the crowd thought one of the tries was converted but not so according to the referee.

So, there was still time and hope for the 1st XV, despite the 27-23 deficit but that was cancelled out when V's ran through a fifth try, also converted, to claim a bigger win than seemed possible mid-way through the second half. Bonus point win for V's and diddly squat for BE's.

With the RWC Final this Saturday, thee is no Senior match this weekend: the 1st XV are at home to UCS Old Boys on 7th November with a 2.30 pm kick-off.
PGY