Where were the missing few?

Why player availability was so poor is unknown although is totally unacceptable with the 2nd XV Merit Table game already cancelled and the 3rd XV previously withdrawing from their Merit Table.

Anyway, the 14 men fought galliantly until the final 15 minutes when London Welsh exposed the gaps in the 1st XV defence and ran in three late tries to distort the score-line in the end.

LWA had gone ahead as early as the first minute when they won an attacking scrum on the BE 22 and standard passing saw their inside centre take the route one through to the BE try line: with a gusty wind, all day, goal kicking was a lottery for both teams. Several minutes later,, LWA doubled their lead when a flowing move across their back-line allowed a player to squeeze into the left-hand corner: BE players turned in hope for Scotty's flag to rise but the TJ was not for turning and the try stood. The best of the first half tries was from an individual effort as the LWA winger collected the ball in his half and, prompted by colleagues shouting "run", several times, he did just that, bursting over 50 metres and through the BE tackles, to score a converted try. 17- 0 to the home side although BE had a concerted period of play in the remaining ten minutes but could not just force a scoring opportunity.

The visitors stated equally strongly in the second half and KIERAN PORTER forced himself over in the same left-hand corner, this time with LWA seeking the TJ's flag but none was forthcoming. BE continued to pressurise, with several attacking scrums and a couple of typical driving mauls with LLOYD MORGAN in the driving seat although, each time, LWA drove them backwards. The away momentum was lost when the referee allowed a fourth home try, despite protestations by some BE players for an earlier infringement: that try, and a subsequent penalty, meant it was 27-5 in no space of time, effectively game over for BE's.

In the remainder of the game, BE pushed hard for a consolation score whilst LWA used the extra man to create space and three more scores, including a hat-trick for the blistering winger. It was a great pity that KIERAN PORTER sat out the final minutes, for a yellow card, as he was BE's outstanding player.

BE's drooped to eighth place in the League Table. Their final game of 2015 is at home, this Saturday, against Old Millhillians at 2pm.

Happy Christmas and hoping for a Good New Year, whether on or off the rugby pitch.

PGY