1st XV lose their unbeaten League record in game of errors and wrong judgments.

The opposition tore at BE from the outset, running hard at the home pack and also possessing swift hands to release the backs. The normal dominance by BE's pack, in the scrums and lineouts, was disrupted frequently with the visitors often snathing "home" ball and even one against the head. The fact that BE missed several "kickable" chances at hoal, both from penalties and conversions, ultimately affected their score although, on occasions, penalty goal attempts were being taken from too far out, rather than opting for a kick to touch instead.

Park scored after five minutes when another slick passing move, along their backs, left the winger enough space to squeeze into the corner, the try being superbly converted. The next score was controversial but also came from a run down the left wing: BE defenders felt the handler had been bundled into touch before hitting the corner flag and touching down but the referee, after consulting the home touch-judge, ruled a try with the conversion adding further woes to BE. The fact is that BE were sluggish in many aspects, not helped by the loss of JONATHAN HART and JAMIE WISE through injury, which meant Captain PETER MOULTON havng to play in the centres. The vital try against came when BE won the lineout close to their try line but Park smuggled the ball and a forward drove through for another try. The final insult was when there was a forwards' scuffle in midfield before JAMES ORAM came in illegally and was sin-binned with Park kicking a simple penalty to give them a 22-0 half time lead. BE had not put one serious attack in the half and only had three penalty chances, all going well wide.

BE's kicker had further problems at the beginning of the second half until route-one attack, through the forwards, was decided although the home pack still could not dominate. Eventually, a pack drive led to JAMES STUBBS scoring a short range try. Good support ball allowed SAM MARKS the space to beat his man on the wing and get around close enough for MATT HARRIS to convert the try. 12-22 quickly became 19-22 as the BE battering ram caused the Park team to concede too many penalties to the referee's liking and BE were awarded a penalty try which MATT HARRIS converted. Park did enough in the closing quarters to suggest they could score again but BE found the cupboard was bare for themselves so narrowly lost but the margin of defeat gave them one losing point.

BE are away to Haringey this Saturday at White Hart Lane at 3pm.

The Mini Festival is to be held at the Club on Sunday (6th) from 10am - volunteers to help with the car park, fund raising, etc., very welcome.

PGY