A late drop goal ensures a narrow win as the 1st XV remain fourth in the table.

However, as the clock ran down with just two minutes left, the two sides were level at 12-12 and BE had possession: although nothing seemed "on" in midfield, DAN OUTRAM struck a sweet drop goal from straight in front of the posts to give BE a narrow lead. Just minutes before, BE had levelled the scores after chasing the game for the whole of the second half: 12-7 down with 74 minutes on the clock, MATT NICHOLAS found space on the right side and made a vital break through the home defence before releasing GLYN BAYLEY to run round for the try although the same player missed the conversion attempt.

BE started the first half in dominant form, winning all the lineout ball with CHRIS BROMILEY outstanding in the middle of the line and the scrum winning virtually all the ball. It was a surprise, therefore, when BE came away with nothing after 15 minutes of overall control before the home team replied, very strongly, through their backs who found space to run although both teams wanted to plough through the boggy centre where a little puddle of water, before kick-off, soon became a huge mud bath. It seemed as if BE's pack domination was cancelled out by OM's dangerous backs. Then, MIKE HEALY was sin-binned for clumsy use of the boot on a grounded player: BE then started to find themselves back-tracking a lot. The man extra in the scrums caused a few problems for BE and the home side went ahead after 35 minutes with a try: the referee awarded a free kick against BE and the scrum was still breaking up when the home No 9 ran through and scored a soft try to give OMs a 5-0 half time lead. Five minutes after the restart, OMs scored a second, which was converted, as a forward drove through BE's pack.

So, it was an uphill task for BE but they recovered their composure, especially through their stronger scrum and lineout where the two main jumpers - BROMILEY and JAMES ORAM - secured good ball for their backs. Midway through the half, BE got their reward when, from scrum ball, SANJAY DEWAN chip-kicked ahead and GLYN BAYLEY raced on to the touch-down and then added the extra from the conversion. That then set up BE's late win through BAYLEY's second try and the match winning drop goal from DAN OUTRAM.

BE remain in fourth place although have two games still in hand. They face Bank of England at Byng Road on 8th March at 3.00pm.

PGY