Sad to say, an eight try thumping on Saturday.

Despite fielding a good team, on paper, in reality it was another matter as UCS, particularly in their backs, had strong runners who, all too frequently, found holes in the BE defences so that the 1st XV were often on the back foot,. The first incursion came in the fifth minute when the "home" left winger had the space to run through the cover defence to force a try in the corner. Seven minutes later, another break through the BE back line led to a very good try, the UCS fly half forcing his way through into the BE 22, selling a very good dummy and finding a team-mate in support for the latter to score a converted try under the pots. So, twelve minutes in, it was 12-0 against the 1st XV. The next try took a bit longer to come but still had some skill about it: the ball was worked to the right wing, this time, the winger waited for the last possible moment before putting in a clever "dink" kick which beat both the left winger and covering full back, to make it 17-0. A few minutes later, it was 22-0 with another forced try. As the half closed down, BE put forward a period of their own pressure, moving up to the UCS 22 but they could not quite force the score their efforts fully deserved. So, it was 22-0 down at half time.

BE, particularly their forwards, were not helped by some wayward line-out throwing, throughout the match, so that their jumpers could not command the ball as is their normal basis. It was not even a windy day !

The second half started in the same way as the first half had ended, with the 1st XV putting together a number of good moves and making possession turn into territory. However, again, this dd not turn into points for the team.. Instead, UCS showed how it should be done as their same left winger forced his way over for a similar try to his opener: the touch-line conversion was successful so it became 29-0. Another break out almost led to a solo try but the full back lost control of the ball in the last moment. There was no such let-off for BE, though, as this fifth try was quickly followed by three more tries, one being converted. There was still time fora late BE rally and LUKE WILLIAMS gained the consolation try, fully deserved by him despite all the home team's possession and strength in midfield.

BE are at home to Cheshunt this Saturday (20th) at 2.30pm. In fact, most of their remaining games are at home, provided the pitches stand up to frost and rain.