After two successive defeats, it was back to winning ways but without the bonus point.

Saturday was no different as the 1st XV won by one converted try: however, they should have won by ten times that difference in view of their 85% possession and territorial advantage plus a 6:1 penalty count in their favour. Credit though to Cheshunt who kept BE at bay and several times held the BE pack up as they went over the goal line. In the closing minutes, BE tried to obtain their fourth try, which would have given them the extra bonus and possibly allowed them to retake fourth place, but it was Cheshunt who gained their bonus for losing by seven points when they slotted a last second penalty goal.

BE were all over the pitch in the first half, with CHRIS BLOMILEY dominating the middle of the lineout, HARRY AVENT making it difficult for the home loosehead prop, ALASTAIR MACFARLANE having a strong debut with good defending and several strong runs whilst JAMES ORAM regularly found space to run through the home defence.

BE could and should have scored several times in the first half as they had so much possession and ground advantage but they just could not score, from whatever line of attack. As it was, the home side scored a converted try after 30 minutes, down their left wing. Back came BE but it caused the referee and Scotty to make a joint error: both awarded BE a lineout just inside the BE half, after a strong clearance kick by the Cheshunt fly half, only to be told that the No 10 had received the ball from a pass back into the 22 from a deeper scrum. So, play went back to the line of the kick, just inside the home 22, and BE went from there although they still took time before RICKY STEVENS went over for a try. In the dying seconds, GLYN BAYLEY's attempted penalty looked good until the wind took it away in the last second. Cheshunt led 7-5 at the break. After half time, BE went back to their almost total dominance although were again stopped by the home side holding them up. In the end, and deservedly (he also won Man of the Match), HARRY AVENT went over with MATT HARRIS adding the conversion. After a clever cross-kick, by SANJAY DEWAN, MATT HARRISfor try number three. That was it for BE in the cloing minutes but there was still time for Cheshunt to kick the penalty that gave them a bonus point.

The 1st XV are away to Kilburn Cosmos on Saturday at 3pm.

PGY