A tense exciting finish pushed the 1st XV up two places.

From there, the East London visitors tore at the home try line, seeking another score (or at least a penalty) that would deny the hosts their third league win out of four recent matches. However, the 1st XV held resolutely firm and secured a narrow yet deserved win which meant they overtook Old Streetonians in the table and also UCS Old Boys. So, by the end of the game, BE were in sixth place although still well behind the league leaders, Kilburrn Cosmos.

BE started strongly and SEAN BLAKE, who had a good game at stand-off, both with ball in hand and on his foot, slid through the OS defence to score an early try which he converted himself. However, the visitors swiftly moved play down the pitch, and scored two swift tries of their own, both from forwards, with the first converted. So, BE were trailing 7-12. The match generally meandered from there, with both teams guilty of bad mouthing at or challenging the referee. The only positive things were that the BE line-out - particularly CHRIS BLOMILEY and MATT GREENWOOD, were winning good ball and KIERAN POrter was doing likewise at hooker in the scrums. The rest of the half was rather uneventful apart from endless blowing of the whistle and countless warrnings to both captains.

The BE players had a dressing down at half time, from BOBBY GRAHAM, over their discipline and this resulted in a better and disciplined second half: In contrast, OS kept chundering away and, in two separate offences, they had a player sent to the bin. BE had already built up momentum and control, even before their numbers superiority, and it resulted in two good individual and team tries: first, SHAUN CASSIDY finished off a fine move with a well taken try: second, the BE pack camped on the away teams' five metre line after penalty after penalty was awarded and when the home scrum went for a pushover try, LUKE WILLIAMS touched down. So, heading into the final ten minutes or so, BE were 20-12 ahead but that prompted OS to rally to tr and save the game. They managed one try but could not get the second score that would have managed a draw or an away win.

With Easter in the way, the 1st XV's next game is at home on 2nd April, at 3pm, against London Welsh Amateurs.

PGY