Second place over the Seasonal break

Belsize Park's win over Kilburn Cosmos, earlier in the afternoon, meant the 1st XV move up to second place in the Herts/Middx 1 table although, ironically, they face League leaders, Belsize Park, away on 4th January when the programme resumes after Christmas and New Year.

It could, and should, have been an easier victory for BE - CHRIS BLOMILEY went over the try line in the opening minutes but lost control of the ball in doing so. The home forwards won most of the line-out ball, with JAMES ORAM, MATT GREENWOOD and CHRIS BLOMILEY taking it in turns. The ball won, the problems started in its distribution with both backs and forwards coming back inside and being sucked in by the V's pack and backs. It took until midway through the first half before their next serious attack: ROBBIE CAMERON-STAFF was baulked as he chased his kick ahead so, after a delay whilst the (female) referee realised that BE get the second penalty award, BE kicked for touch, won the lineout and then drove CHRIS BLOMILEY, ironically, over for the try, the only score of the half despite BE having played with the wind and slope in the first 40 minutes.

The second half started with a quick second home score: the pack drove Vs upfield, with MATT GREENWOOD leading the procession, before the ball went out to the backs and ROBBIE CAMERON-STAFF did the rest by scoring a try on the left wing. Instead of kicking off from that point, BE let the opposition back into the game, although Vs always had a dangerous set of three-quarters throughout, and the visitors sucked in BEs defence in midfield to create a three man overlap which they used to score a try. Again, BE tried to run into trouble although they equally made some unusual handling errors. The scrum could never get clear ball and it was only good line kicking by ROSS WILKINSON that kept BE going forward. In the loose and set play, JAMES ORAM had an outstanding game although there were other forwards in similar mode.

ROBBIE CAMERON-STAFF kicked a penalty goal to make it 13-5 and, crucially, two scores ahead. BE's could still not break off the Vs shackles and the game drifted with both teams trying various moves but with little success. This continued until five minutes from the end when a left wing move was carried on by ROBBIE CAMERON-STAFF who made the vital thrust before passing to the supporting JAMES ORAM who ran in the third try. Any question of BE's repeating their late efforts at Royston from the week before, were denied as time ran out. However, second place at the mid-season break in their scheduled fixtures, was a more than welcome early Christmas present.

The match at Belsize Park kick-off at 2.15pm. My Christmas present is that you do not need to read any more from me this year ! Happy Christmas and New Year.

PGY