Cheshunt 27pts Barnet Elizabethans 39pts

BE started well, despite the fact that a car load of players turned up late for the warm-up after taking the wrong turning on the M25. The wind behind them in the first half helped, as did a number of penalties which gave them territorial advantage although no points on the board due to a static back line and good defence by Cheshunt, creating mistakes.

After a fast moving ruck, on the left side, the backs were given the ball to move onto for the first time, SEAN BLAKE grub-kicking ahead and touching down under the posts: JONNY HART had picked up an injury before the game so GLYN BAYLEY took over teh kicking (0-7). More pressure, with strong runs from JONNO WILKINS and JAMES ORAM allowed ROB FIRTH over for an unconverted try (0-12).

BE did their usual "relax" to allow Cheshunt back into the game: the home side won a lineout on halfway, then the ball was popped to the inside centre who scythed through BE's defence before offloading to the outside centre for a converted try (7-12). GLYN BAYLEY exchanged peanlties with his opposite number (10-15). Cheshunt had the bit between their teethbut BEs defence held firm - a home kick into the corner was collected and a long wind-assisted clearance kick sent it back to the home 22, well chased by MATT HARRIS who charged down the clearance kick and then dribbled a la Wayne Rooney for a try. (10-20 at half time).

Despite now facing the wind, BE responded to the half-time talk to work harder and show a killer instinct. The following 10 minutes was the best rugby BE have produced for some time: from the restart, JAMES ORAM showed his speed to carve through the defence and then off-loaded to the freely moving SEAN BLAKE: the ball ended up with MATT HARRIS scoring in the corner (10-25). BE returned upfield and good passing and support play sent SEAN BLAKE in for a try, GLYN BAYLEY converting (10-32). BE were now in command and shoulkd have killed off Cheshunt but gave away too many unwaranted and unncessary penalties (same old) to give Cheshunt two tries, one converted (22-32). This galvanised BE into action again and ROB FIRTH scored his second try after a series of scrums (well doe debutant TOM STUBBS): ROSS WILKINSON added the conversion (22-39). From the restart, Cheshunt scored onc more to leave the score 27-39.

Man of the Match - as voted by the players - with TOM STUBBS nad JONNO WILKINS getting the same number of votes.

FULLERIANS away in the Quarter Final awaits BE on 21st or 22nd January. In the meantime, London Welsh Amateuirs away this Saturday in the League (2.00).

PGY